
-V 













0 


» 












HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST 
YEAR 


BOOKS BY AMANDA M. DOUGLAS 

THE HELEN GRANT BOOKS 

Illustrated 

HELEN GRANT’S SCHOOLDAYS $1.35 

HELEN GRANT’S FRIENDS 1.35 

HELEN GRANT AT ALDRED HOUSE 1.25 

HELEN GRANT IN COLLEGE 1.35 

HELEN GRANT, SENIOR 1.35 

HELEN GRANT, GRADUATE 1.35 

HELEN GRANT, TEACHER 1.35 

HELEN GRANT’S DECISION 1.35 

HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 1.25 


ALMOST AS GOOD AS A BOY. Illustrated by Bertha G. 

Davidson 1.35 

HEROES OF THE CRUSADES. Fifty fulFpage Illustrations 

from Gustave Dore 1.50 

LARRY (The $2000 Prize Story) i.oo 

THE KATHIE STORIES. Six Volumes. Illustrated. Per 

volume z.oo 

THE DOUGLAS NOVELS. Twenty-four Volumes. Per vol. i.oo 


LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 
BOSTON 


\ V 



^ « 




iri 


M 


. tirt ■' - ‘ ;. 




* '« ■' *• 


i I 


^ • .tjt -i- 


... n ■ >• ' >. » 

^ <• 


-*• *1 

i: 

_ \ 


^ >-v • ^• 

■ »y. 



.<« 




> 




V • / I 
- ^ /> 


. * 




'7- 


a. •' 


# 1 


V 

r 


f if ' •* 




1 / 




^ - » 


f 


‘* V 


>4 


vl 

-••* fct' 


• * » % « . *; . ^ i I 

r.'';’''. ■■.■.J-’^ 

- — — A K ^ 7 i 

' ^r ^L. I 



Qf-' ■ ‘ 


i iv 


W 


• * • ^ . . . 

■. ’■ • ■-. , *1 ■, 


1 * 1 * T * ^ > 

' *4 


rnS< 


k « “• » < 


0 


k' 




-1*"^ 

■K . -■ 


( » 



-)‘r 


% 


' • 



¥ 




>. 


^ l| ^ 


* • -^*0 V ♦ 


^y 4 ; 




.VI 


A*. 

‘ 4»i #2L 





i A 







r 


They were beginxing to keel very much at home ox the great 

STEAMER. — Paff€ 1 . 



Ube Ibelcn ©rant SSoofts 


HELEN GRANT’S 
HARYEST YEAR 


BY 

AMANDA M. DOUGLAS 

H 


ILLUSTRATED BY 
BERTHA DAVIDSON HOXIE 



BOSTON 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 


Published, August, 1911 



Copyright, 1911, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. 


A// Rights Reserved 


Helen Grant’s Harvest Year 


1'^; 


‘florwool) pre60 
Berwick and smith Co. 
Norwood, Mass. 

U. S. A. 


©Cl.A28!r^l6 


Contents 


CHAPTER 

I. 

Old Friends Met Together . 



PAGE 

I 

II. 

A Flock of Girls 



23 

III. 

What the Day Brought 



45 

IV. 

Ways of Pleasure . 



69 

V. 

Social Statics and Dynamics 



93 

VI. 

The Joy of Coming Back 



117 

VII. 

Casual and Tentative 



139 

VIII. 

The Grace of Endeavor 



162 

IX. 

A Joy Across Daily Living . 



186 

X. 

Will Love and Duty Meet? . 



212 

XI. 

Back in the Heart of Things 



235 

XII. 

One End of a Thread 



259 

XIII. 

Trying to Adjust Experience 



284 

XIV. 

Gathering up Loose Ends 



308 

XV. 

Variable Atmospheres 



333 

XVI. 

The Higher Outlook 



356 

XVII. 

The Crown of Earnest Living 



380 

XVIII. 

The Golden Harvest 



403 


Illustrations 


They were beginning to feel very much at 
HOME ON THE GREAT STEAMER {Page i) FrofiHspiece i/ 

FACING PAGE 

Mr. Waring invited them to tea on the Terrace ioo W' 
Angela was very entertaining .... 192 ^ 

“ Oh, you are not going ! ” 260 w 

“ Do YOU THINK I AM GOING BACK NOW WHEN YOU 

NEED ME ? ” 332 

“ Mr. Hildreth, can’t we drink a toast to you 

IN A CUP OF COFFEE ? ” 3^2 



* 

k 


■ < 

• K 


/» 




« 


r 


$ 


• ' 


« 

/• 


r. ■ 

» ' 
k' 







% 


V 


4 



Helen Grant’s 
Harvest Year 

CHAPTER I 

OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 

They were beginning to feel very much 
at home on the great steamer. It was sug- 
gestive of several things: an immense hotel, 
an island in the midst of the sea, a social 
rendezvous, where people began with a smile 
and a bow, and then dropped into a pleasant 
acquaintance, to part at the journey’s end, 
perhaps never to meet again, but in some cases 
to carry away a delightful remembrance. 

There were four in Mrs. Aldred’s party; 
two English girls, whose American mother 
had been a warm friend of Mrs. Aldred’s, 
and who had wanted her daughters to see 
something of her country, and to have her 


2 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

friend’s training; another pupil, whose final 
destination was a musical conservatory at 
Leipsic; and a Westchester girl who had been 
a day scholar in Helen’s time. They had affili- 
ated with the Gartney girls, and made an en- 
joyable party by themselves. The weather was 
perfection, and there was very little sickness, 
although Elma and Miss Orton suffered some- 
what at first. Miss Craven proved such an 
excellent sailor that Helen teased her a little 
for her fears. 

It wasn’t sea-sickness altogether. I think 
I founded my apprehension on the awful lone- 
liness of the Ancient Mariner, alone on his 
' wide, wide sea.’ ” 

'' And it is not a bit lonely. In fact, it is 
truly a great floating city.” 

‘‘And we have had so many suggestive 
plans ! ” said Juliet with a sort of remote 
smile. “ One or two years’ exploring odd 
nooks and corners, cities, picture galleries, 
churches, and people even, if we could not un- 
derstand their strange tongues. Just we two,” 
and the smile deepened. 

“ I think I like this plan best. Then I 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 3 

don’t know when I could take a whole year 
or two, and save up sufficient money,” re- 
turned Helen with a merry light in her eyes. 
Then she colored. She had not confessed her 
future to Juliet. Conscience pricked her a 
little since she had admitted it to her friend 
Mrs. Yarrow. 

As if the money would have counted,” 
in a low tone. 

Mrs. Aldred came over to them. She had 
found some friends, quite young people, and 
the girls were with them. 

Helen made room for her. We have 
not had a real good talk yet,” she said. ** Is 
Grace’s marriage going to change — ^any- 
thing? ” 

Do you mean the school ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Why — no,” reflectively. As the years 
go on I am more and more interested in young 
people’s lives. Only they go out of yours 
just when the attachment seems the strongest. 
And some of them you never hear about 
again; but others, and not the most promising 
either, keep up the warmest remembrance. 


4 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

I had a visit some months ago from Dr. 
Kent.” 

“ Oh, those two women are Juliet’s — shall 
I say ? — ^protegees ? As I remember Miss Kent, 
she was not a promising subject. But I did 
like Miss Logan,” declared Helen. 

“ I am quite anxious to visit them, and think 
I shall take New York on my Eastern vaca- 
tion. I am not going to have so large a 
school. A Miss Wentworth has been teaching 
for me during the last year and getting some 
training for a school of her own. She will 
take all the smaller scholars. Her mother will 
come and keep house for her. There is a need 
for a home-school for motherless children or 
orphans, and she is more fond of that work. 
I think I can truly recommend her. And her 
mother has been for two years caretaker in an 
institution. Do you remember the McNair 
house, Helen? They had some money and 
have bought that. So I am to take no girl 
under fourteen. In certain ways I am sorry, 
too. The little children are so in need of a 
friend. Grace was so fitted for that. And, 
Miss Craven, what a sisterly friend you have 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 5 

been to those Gartney children! And gener- 
ous as well 1 ” Juliet flushed. 

‘‘ Tell us about Miss Grace. Was she very 
much in love?'’ and Helen colored rosily as 
she glanced up. 

Mrs. Aldred smiled. ‘‘ Yes, I think she 
cared a great deal for him and the three chil- 
dren. I don't know how she will succeed with 
the boy, but the little girls are really charming. 
We were not thinking of such a thing. The 
girls came to school, and he visited us quite 
often. The church has improved a good deal 
since Mr. Danforth's time, but of course the 
town has widened out and brought in some 
fine people. But I always say that Mr. Dan- 
forth laid a good foundation. His children 
are doing well. You know, perhaps, that the 
oldest son, who is a young man to be proud 
of, left business, giving up a fine opportunity, 
and is a clergyman ? " 

Helen colored and merely said — ‘‘ Yes." 

I hardly thought Grace would marry. She 
had planned to go to Florence this summer, 
where, according to their mother's statement, 
I have two lovely grandchildren," smiling a 


6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

little. ‘‘ But Mr. Winson’s housekeeper went 
away in March. He had a rather unfortunate 
time with incompetent help, and plead for an 
early marriage. A wing had been added to 
the parsonage, and some modern improve- 
ments put in. It wanted furnishing, of 
course, and Grace consented to be married the 
very day school closed. It was rather a sur- 
prise to everybody. I like him very much. 
He is only five years older than Grace, and I 
am truly glad to have her remain at West- 
chester. I think Grace will make an excellent 
Step-mother, and a very judicious clergyman’s 
wife. She had not planned to be married until 
her return in the autumn.” 

Marriages do not seem to be going out of 
fashion in spite of all the talk,” Helen said 
rather mirthfully. 

‘‘ There are more — shall I say older mar- 
riages? Girls do not think marriage the only 
career, and the sensible ones do not rush into 
it. But I do believe marriage and motherhood 
make the only perfect life, when it is entered 
into wisely. I think very few of my girls have 
made fatal mistakes. Yet single women are 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 7 

doing some of the world’s finest work. The 
advance we have made is that women have 
found that it is not absolutely necessary to be 
married. I have been much interested in Dr. 
Kent and Miss Logan. Her practice is largely 
among children, and she really loves the poor, 
unfortunate little ones.” 

“ And she has taken up another branch,” 
said Juliet. She finds homes for some of 
the poor little foundlings, after she has brought 
them to the point of health and strength. A 
comparatively rich woman has built a wing to 
their modest home and made a beautiful sun 
parlor on the second floor in memory of her 
little child who died. I think of all my pupils, 
and some of them have won fame, there is not 
one I am prouder of than Dr. Kent.” 

“ And we all thought her so ” Helen 

paused, remembering the plain, almost ungra- 
cious girl who was so obstinately self-con- 
tained. 

‘‘ Miss Logan helped. She knew Miss 
Kent’s past. Where did she get her large, 
motherly sympathy? — not from her own 
mother.” 


8 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ Tm not sure that virtues or vices are 
strictly hereditary,” said Miss Craven. 

Helen thought of her own case. Surely she 
was like neither parent. Somehow, she felt 
more of kin to Uncle Jason in many ways. 
They were prospering at Hope. Nat and his 
father were model farmers, Fanny was a high 
school graduate and had been offered a posi- 
tion, and her mother was really proud, though 
she didn’t believe a school teacher could ever 
keep house decently. But, then, neither did 
Aurelia. 

The girls came around presently. Then 
there was supper, music, and playing, dancing, 
promenading. It was like a ball-room on a 
large scale. Helen and Juliet were walking 
leisurely, when an acquaintance of Miss 
Craven’s brought up a friend and introduced 
him as a Mr. Conrad. He took the outer 
edge on Helen’s side; Mr. Trent caught step 
with Juliet. He was a New Yorker, a friend 
of the Travis family. 

“ I suppose you have crossed before ? ” Mr. 
Conrad assumed. 

No, it is my first experience.” 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 9 

‘‘Was the touch of sea-sickness very hor- 
rible?’’ 

“ I wasn’t sick. I didn’t eat any supper, 
and stayed out until I was sleepy. My friend 
had no trouble either. Only one of our girls 
had a bad attack.” 

“ You are with a party? ” 

“ With my friend, Miss Craven. Mrs. Al- 
dred, our matron, has several of her school- 
girls.” 

“ Are you to take a run over to the Con- 
tinent ? ” 

“ Not this time. The United Kingdom will 
be as much as we have time for, though we 
may have a glimpse of Paris. A two months’ 
stay will not give time for everything.” 

“ True. And there is a great deal to see 
in London, if that is what you come for.” 

“ It would be queer to take the trouble to 
come and not see it,” rather archly. 

“ Well — some people come just for the sea- 
son. I know several American women who 
do. They have a list of dinners and balls and 
teas and the races. Of course they see the 
great buildings, and run into the House of 


10 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Lords once, and the House of Commons, if 
there is a great speaker. That is all they care 
about.” 

“ Perhaps the first few times they take in 
other things.” 

“ Perhaps so,” with a little shrug. 

There is so much to see everywhere. And 
I haven’t seen half of America yet.” 

“ Then you really desire to seef ” 

‘‘ Why, yes,” and she laughed. 

‘‘ Is this your friend’s first visit ? ” 

“ Yes. We have always spent part of our 
vacations together.” 

Oh — are you college girls ? ” 

“ I am a college graduate. She has a lovely 
home and keeps mostly to that,” Helen said 
stiffly. 

‘‘ I have heard Trent say something about 
it. Rich in her own right, isn’t she? ” 

‘‘ She has quite a fortune. But there are 
hundreds much larger,” in a rather dry tone. 

“ Money is the best thing in the world. 
Having that you can get all else.” 

“Can you?” rather doubtfully. “I think 
there are several things money can’t buy.” 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 


II 


‘‘ That is the very young view of it. Men- 
tion some of them.’’ 

“ I’m not going to waste my choicest beliefs 
on you,” she said spiritedly. 

“ Oh,” and he laughed. It’s rather re- 
freshing to meet one who holds such primitive 
beliefs. I grew up with a few. But the ex- 
igencies of life — the hard knocks — disabuse 
one’s mind.” 

‘‘ Oh, Helen,” said Elma Gartney, ‘‘ here is 
some one who wants to see you, a friend 
of Mrs. Aldred’s. We were looking for 
you.” 

She was surrounded by the party. Mrs. Al- 
dred presented an elderly, distinguished-look- 
ing man as Professor Verhoeven. Mr. Con- 
rad discreetly effaced himself. Miss Craven 
and Mr. Trent were not far behind. 

‘‘ I met your father in Washington,” he be- 
gan. “ He gave a lecture, very entertaining 
even to a scholar on different lines. He looked 
very weary and delicate, but I was shocked to 
hear of his death so soon afterward. And I 
am very glad to meet you. Mrs. Aldred and 
I are quite old friends. But in a great cara- 


12 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

vansery like this you do not meet all your 
acquaintances at first.” 

‘‘ And here is another of my pupils that I 
am proud of,” she said, presenting Juliet. 
“ Indeed, I sometimes feel as if I had a share 
in a great many lives; for though some of them 
may stray off, you meet many of them again, 
here and there.” 

“ Yes, I find it so. I had only a brief stay 
in your country. I was in two courses of lec- 
tures, and then I had some engagements here — 
I mean in my own land,” laughing. Are 
any of your young ladies studying art? ” 

‘‘ No,” rather hesitatingly. 

“ We are quite a practical people,” inter- 
posed Helen. “ Though I think Mrs. Aldred 
has had some geniuses on her list. But most 
of us are everyday folk, though we all hope 
to do credit to her training.” 

“You are not going on to the Continent? 
I am sorry — ^there is so much to see But you 
can come again. I suppose England has the 
greater charm for you. Miss Grant ? ” 

“ Will it be clannish to admit that it has ? ” 
with an arch expression. “We are of one 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER I3 

blood, one language. And the history touches 
us more closely. Then — well I knew very 
little of my father; he was so long in the East, 
and then in the museum ’’ 

‘‘ I considered him a fascinating speaker 
after he was warmed up. He made those old 
people stand out before you. They certainly 
did some wonderful things in sculpture; paint- 
ing was not so truly a fine art with them, only 
they did have the secret of some marvelous 
coloring. Still, for all their glory, I would 
rather live to-day.” 

There was the shadow of a smile playing 
about his mouth and showing distinctly in his 
blue eyes. 

Oh, I do believe we all would ! ” she ex- 
claimed earnestly. Then her thoughts went 
back to the dread of her father, that she could 
never dismiss. How intensely she had shrunk 
from those years of companionship I “ There 
is so much — the riches of all the ages and that 
of to-day ! ” 

‘‘ You have never taken up art work? You 
look as if you might do a little in that line.” 

“ But, you see, I should want to do a great 


14 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

deal; to be truly inspired. Painting a few 
flowers or a bit of landscape wouldn’t satisfy 
me. I can do that. But to paint character in 
a face; the real meaning, that talks ” 

And you’ve never made yourself unhappy 
over it ? ” There was a touch of admiration 
in his face. Hers was aglow with resolution, 
satisfaction. 

Well — I was poor. I couldn’t afford the 
long training even if I’d had the genius. And 
I loved to study other things. I resolved to 
teach. And I like teaching very much. I went 
to Mrs. Aldred’s. Have you known her 
long? ” 

“ I knew the daughter first. She paints 
children charmingly. I first saw her mother in 
her studio. And we have met here and there, 
every time she has been abroad. She is a 
fine, wholesome woman, a friendly woman. 
I should expect her to train girls admirably. 
And you were right not to waste your time on 
something you could not do. Do you think 
I am an artist, a painter? ” 

There was a sense of amusement lurking in 
his face. It was a foreign one, not of the 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 1 5 

French or Italian type; fair, frank, blue-eyed, 
yet with a strong, discriminating expression. 

Oh, I know you are not.’’ She laughed 
softly. Your tone confesses it.” 

No, I could never paint a fine picture, 
though I come of an artistic family. And I 
learned that appreciation was needed as well 
as the science of the brush. There must be 
critics; not those who pick to pieces and de- 
stroy, but those who can see the soul that in- 
spires the artist as he makes it visible to the 
world. So you may call me a connoisseur. I 
studied and have made myself an authority. 
It needs taste, judgment, the inner sight, the 
true sight — and experience. Then I lecture. 
I purchase paintings for patrons. I do occa- 
sionally unearth a genius and that delights me. 
So that is what takes me about the world 
so much. But I don’t give every one my 
history.” 

He laughed charmingly, melodiously, and 
she was curiously won by his frankness — his 
almost youthful gayety. 

'' I should like to go through a fine picture 
gallery with you,” she said. “ But I shouldn’t 


l6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

dare make a comment until I had studied your 
face.” 

“ There are some people with fine taste, who 
do not like anything that does not appeal to 
the heart. We are not all made alike. And 
I think it is better to have the inner sense 
touched and awakened than to run in the ordi- 
nary groove of appreciation. I shall be in 
Paris from the middle to the last of August. 
jYou will go over, of course, if you only stay 
a few days. I must talk to Mrs. Aldred about 
it.” 

They were walking by themselves. It was 
a glorious, starlight night, the young moon 
having already disappeared. The two young 
men had joined the girls, and were sending gay 
bits of chat back and forth, laughing and jest- 
ing. Presently they saw a circle of vacant 
seats and accepted the wordless invitation. 

‘‘If any one comes and looks sharply at 
at us we will rise at once with the humblest 
apologies,” said Mr. Conrad. “ Don’t some of 
you ladies want to dance ? ” 

“ Fve been dying to,” returned Miss Rosen- 
burg. “ Why, it is like a great beautiful ball! 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 1 7 

I don’t wonder people, women, like to go back 
and forth. It is fascinating, enchanting ! ” 

She half rose. 

“ I am at your service,” announced Mr. Con- 
rad, and they walked away together. 

He is very entertaining,” remarked Wilma. 
‘‘Didn’t you like him, cousin Helen?” 

Helen had thought him rather impertinent, 
but she did not say so just now. She experi- 
enced a curious exhilaration, the scene alto- 
gether was so fascinating and the music soul- 
stirring. Why, just crossing the ocean had a 
charm! 

Juliet and Mr. Trent were having a discus- 
sion on the wants and woes of the great city, 
and the lavish ways of spending money. 

Carl Verhoeven had seated himself by Mrs. 
Aldred, and he was planning how they might 
meet in Paris. The girls were chatting. Miss 
Orton wished she were with the dancers. Why 
hadn’t she spoken up? 

“ I’m not sure about these things, just what 
is proper,” said Edith Foxcroft. “And then 
— there was only one attendant — what did that 
amount to among so many ? ” 


l8 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ We might get up and dance by ourselves. 
We had to be beaux at Mrs. Aldred’s.’^ 

“Will you be glad when you are really at 
— home ? ’’ queried Elma. 

“ Oh, I liked everything so much. But then 
— ^we have not seen mother and father and 
Jack and Aunt Netta for almost a year. I was 
awfully homesick at first. You know we had 
not been to boarding school, only just as day 
scholars. Mrs. Aldred is lovely. 'You were 
there. Miss Grant?” 

“ Yes, and then I could not go back the 
next year; my father, who had been away for 
years, came home, but he was in very poor 
health and died. Then I went back and fitted 
for college.” 

“ Oh, I’d like to go to college,” said Edith. 
“ I’ve read lots of stories about college girls. 
You don’t really have to be anything because 
you go, do you ? ” 

“ Why, no, if you mean a profession.” 

“ Well, I shouldn’t want to teach. I sup- 
pose I’ll begin to go out with mother. But 
you American girls go out so much by your- 
selves; and some of them have lots of fun. 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER I9 

Oh, I suppose Miss Rosenburg is having a 
grand good time ! '' 

Miss Rosenburg had said once to her escort, 
‘‘ Don't you think we ought to go back to the 
others ? ” 

“ Well — if you are tired of me, I suppose I 
ought to ask some of the others. You all 
dance ? " 

Oh, yes. And I could dance all night.” 

So they went on for an hour. She did dance 
well, and was loath to give up. She had grad- 
uated, so she really was not to be amenable to 
Mrs. Aldred in everything. 

Helen had told Mrs. Aldred some of 
her trials and perplexities, and that now 
they had the high school on a firm footing. 
The coming year they expected to do very 
well. 

There had been occasional letters, to be sure, 
but one could not jot down everything. And 
now she told about her proffer from Miss Ham- 
ilton, and her plans; the very kindly letters 
that had passed between them; and her friend 
Mrs. Yarrow’s interest — disappointment, as 
well. 


20 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Mrs. Aldred was silent for some seconds. 
Helen glanced up. 

“ My dear, it was a most excellent offer, I 
think. If one could be quite sure this Miss 
Hamilton would be an agreeable person. It 
was very tempting. I hardly see how you had 
the courage to refuse. Didn’t it tempt you ? 

Helen colored a little. The possible lover, 
then, had been an obstacle that she could not 
confess. 

‘‘ But I did want to bring the classes up and 
have one fine graduation. Then it would have 
been a bitter disappointment to Mr. Under- 
wood, who had been most kind and thoughtful 
to me. You see, some of the little towns 
around thought we didn’t need a high school. 
The county did not, but Mr. Hildreth’s offer 
was too good to refuse. Now, at least after 
this year, I shall have a most excellent stand- 
ing. I have succeeded with some very trouble- 
some boys, and at first I thought I should not 
like big boys.” 

‘‘ Perhaps it was as well to remain. Helen, 
I think you have proved yourself a born 
teacher. I look to see you fill some high posi- 


OLD FRIENDS MET TOGETHER 


21 


tion yet. So many of my girls have been an 
honor and a delight to me.’’ 

You were always so kind and judicious.” 

Helen turned her face a little aside, for she 
could not keep the warm color out of it. But 
neither could she confess the new plan for 
her life. It looked curiously strange to her 
now. 

She had not even confessed it to Juliet, and 
she felt that was a positive wrong to her 
friend. But by great good luck. Miss Craven 
thought, they had secured a double stateroom. 
With the two young girls there, no opportunity 
had offered for that sort of confidence. And 
there were all the others — the friends they were 
making, every day some new one. The Pro- 
fessor haunted them, Mr. Trent haunted Juliet, 
Mr. Conrad was a sort of general admirer, and 
the young girls were a merry, well-behaved 
company. They could not have been other- 
wise, after Mrs. Aldred's training. 

When they steamed into Liverpool, Helen 
looked on in sheer amazement. It was so un- 
American. There were good-bys, Mr. Trent's 
rather brusque, Helen thought. And there 


22 HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 

were Mr. and Mrs. Foxcroft come to meet their 
two darlings. It was quite a party to go up 
to London. The Foxcrofts were at Bayswater 
and were fain to take in most of the party. 
An old music teacher was to meet Miss Rosen- 
burg in London and convoy her to Leipsic; 
Mrs. Aldred had telegraphed to a pleasant, 
home-like hotel, where they could be com- 
fortable until plans were perfected. There- 
fore they promised to visit Bayswater in a few 
days, when other arrangements had been 
settled. 


CHAPTER II 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 

After Miss Rosenburg was started on her 
journey with Fraulein Amberg, Mrs. Aldred, 
the two girls, and Ruth Orton settled com- 
fortably in the hotel where Miss Craven's 
party had two nice rooms. The girls had a 
room with a big bed, Helen and Juliet a 
double-bedded apartment. How plain it all 
seemed after the luxury of the steamer ! 

‘‘ But you will find everything clean, the 
meals good, and the service quite admirable. 
There are small dining-rooms for private 
parties," said Mrs. Aldred. 

‘‘ How queer everything looks ! " exclaimed 
Elma. “ It is really London, I suppose." 

“ It really is," returned Mrs. Aldred with a 
smile. But we could have noise and bustle 
if we chose. I am sure we have had consider- 
able of it." 


23 


24 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

That is what makes it feel strange. Why, 
it is as quiet as at Westchester or at home.” 

They had slept late, wearied by the fatigue 
and excitement. Now there was a plain 
breakfast, daintily served, then letters were 
brought in. There were several for Mrs. Al- 
dred, two for Helen, and a like number for 
Juliet. 

Helen flushed a little over hers, but Juliet 
was so occupied with the news of the two days 
at home without her that she could not study 
her friend. Everything was going on well 
under Mrs. Howard’s careful administrations, 
but baby Theo had been much disappointed 
not to find Auntie Jue when she woke up, and 
insisted that she must come home at night. 

“ We must make definite plans,” said Mrs. 
Aldred. “Of course we have talked over what 
we want to see, but days go by so swiftly! 
There must be a little shopping, at first, since 
we did not overburden ourselves with the arti- 
cles we could get quite as cheaply here, and if 
we wear them we won’t have to pay duty on 
them when we return. I’ve been looking that 
up. We all know that most travelers take 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 25 

twice what they need, and I have learned it 
by experience.” 

They glanced over the morning paper, after- 
ward returning to their rooms, which had been 
put in order, and began unpacking a little. 
Then Mrs. Foxcroft was announced. 

There was a small sitting-room with the 
suite. Mrs. Aldred went at once. 

“ I know I shall take you by surprise, and 
that you ought to have a day to collect your- 
selves. But an hour ago a messenger came 
from old friends of the girls, wanting to know 
if they could come over in the afternoon to 
give them a welcome home. They were so 
anxious to see them. I meant, when we could 
arrange it, to give a sort of garden party, and 
ask in all the old acquaintances; but the girls 
thought this welcome so nice that we fell into 
the plan at once. It will be very informal; 
just a plain tea-drinking and a good deal of 
talk. And they want Mrs. Aldred and the rest 
of you. Now I’ve come with the family car- 
riage, prepared to drive you out, the girls in- 
sisting that there shall be no refusal. They 
have talked so much of their mates and com- 


26 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

panions ! My dear Mrs. Aldred, I come 
charged with no end of thanks from Mr. Fox- 
croft, who is delighted to find them so im- 
proved and yet so little changed. And we 
want a real visit from you and your friends.” 

The twins glanced up eagerly. This morn- 
ing they had been strangers in a strange land. 

“ I hardly know,” began Mrs. Aldred. 

Oh, Edith charged me to take no denial. 
They want to show their American friends. 
I know it seems rather out of order, but we 
do these things sometimes,” with a smile. 

I can see how they wish for Mrs. Aldred 
and the girls,” said Juliet in an explanatory 
tone, “ and I am going to propose that you 
take the four back with you, while Miss Grant 
and I wait for the ‘ real visit.’ I have letters 
to write.” 

“ Oh ! that is much better,” exclaimed Helen. 
“ You know, Mrs. Foxcroft, we have passed 
out of the region of girlhood, though it will be 
a pleasant sight to see the flock of girls making 
welcome their old friends. It is very kind 
of you to include us.” 

“ It would be a greater pleasure to have you 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 27 

to ourselves; the girls are very enthusiastic 
over Miss Grant. Can’t we plan for the visit 
next week ? And have the garden party while 
you are there.” 

Mrs. Foxcroft was so sincerely cordial that 
there was no refusal possible. Helen had 
admired her the day before. 

So it was settled, even the day being ap- 
pointed for the visit, which was to include the 
night and the following day. Then Mrs. Al- 
dred and Juliet went to help the girls, who 
were in a state of delight. Helen and Mrs. 
Foxcroft improved the time, getting better ac- 
quainted and talking of the sights of London. 
And then the party went down to the car- 
riage. Mrs. Foxcroft was driving. 

The two friends were silent for several 
moments, then Helen, coming back to the table 
with her portfolio, said : — 

You settled that very nicely, Juliet. I 
was trying to think of something graceful and 
decisive to say.” 

‘‘ They will be young girls, schoolgirls to- 
gether. I was glad in one way ” 

It is queer how little we have been alone. 


28 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

There is so much to talk over.” She colored 
at her own share. “ Juliet, do you like that 
Mr. Trent? It seemed to me he was very 
much interested in you.” 

‘‘ We have been friends for some time. Mr. 
Osborne seems to have an excellent opinion 
of him as a business man. He has done some 
very kindly things in ways that he doesn’t 
believe in at all. It is comparatively easy to 
give money when you have it — especially if 
you want to win the favor of another.” 

“ Yet I sometimes thought — he does care for 
you.” 

“Nonsense, Helen. He is about ready to 
marry, but he is not going to throw himself 
away. Men are often quite as exigent, per- 
haps I should say calculating, as women.” 

“ But don’t you mean ever ” 

There was a momentary silence. 

“ I haven’t any special meaning,” returned 
Juliet. “ I like my life very much. I can do 
many of the things that interest me. I have a 
lovely mother- friend, I have two charming 
younger sisters and Theo. There are girls 
that one can help so much; sometimes rescue 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 2 ^ 

from a hard, uncongenial life. One came to 
me in the spring, whose mother was making her 
life miserable by trying to force her into a 
distasteful marriage. The firm she had been 
working for had failed, and it was hard to 
find a new place. She was a really superior 
girl, nice mannered and all that. Her mother 
drank, that was one trouble. The lover, a 
middle-aged man, had the same weakness. 
After a few weeks, her mother gave her the 
choice to shift for herself or marry and step 
into a comfortable home. Her mother would 
have planted herself on her. She came to me 
in her trouble, and I took her in. I do under- 
stand that nice, self-respecting girls do not like 
to go into the rank of servants. I had her 
with me three weeks, when a charming woman, 
lame from a sad accident, wanted a sort of 
companion daughter. She had a pretty home 
in the suburbs and kept a maid. I sent my 
girl to her, and they took a great liking to each 
other. Mrs. Marsh is in comfortable circum- 
stances. She lost two children just as they 
were growing up, and is very glad to have 
Margaret; and the girl is most grateful. The 


30 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

rather funny upshot of it is that her mother 
married the lover. I only hope they will keep 
away from Margaret, though the matter was 
explained to Mrs. Marsh, and she will befriend 
her. Helen, I think I was meant for a philan- 
thropist, and that was why God gave me all 
the money. Mr. Trent doesn’t believe in wast- 
ing your substance in this fashion. He thinks 
I need a husband to help me save it. He has 
some engaging qualities, but I like my own 
way and my freedom best. Yet I hope I 
never shall antagonize any true marriage. I 
think it is best for most women, even if it does 
not reach the highest ideal. But — why should 
I give up my freedom for the ordinary love? 
There are many fine single women who are 
doing a good work in the world. I sometimes 
think of my poor mother’s life. And what 
kind of a husband would my queer old uncle 
have made ? ” 

A homily on marriage,” and Helen 
laughed. 

“ I don’t often talk about it. But I want 
you to marry. You ought to be the mother of 
a family, or the president of a college. If you 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 3 1 

had been seven or eight years older, I should 
have liked you to accept that Western proffer.” 

Mrs. Aldred thinks I should have done 

so.” 

Both glanced up and their eyes met. Helen’s 
face was scarlet. Then she came around and 
clasped her arms about Juliet’s neck and laid 
her hot cheek against the cool one. 

“ I’ve been — well, not exactly deceitful — but 
lacking in sincerity; only there has seemed 
no opportunity; and it was so sudden to me. 
Yet it seemed the very thing that I should 
have desired if I had ever thought of it in 

that way ” 

Her voice was tremulous. 

‘‘My dear, I guessed. It was the farewell 
on the vessel. And I knew you did not want 
to spoil the sacredness of the joy. What is 
friendship for but to trust ? ” 

“You are a very sweet and comforting 
friend. I don’t think there will ever be any 
one good enough for you. But I knew you 
would not accept Mr. Trent. Seriously, Juliet, 
how many of them have there been ? ” 

“ I don’t believe any rich woman need go 


32 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

single. And I think most women have an 
opportunity to marry some one. But about 
you! I have always liked Gordon Danforth. 
It was noble in him to give up his college 
plans to help with the younger children; and 
I suppose he might have been in the way of 
making a fortune, if he had kept at business.” 

There is so much more for you to hear. 
One thing is that Mr. Hildreth knew him and 
admired him. Sometime I will tell you about 
it. But — I would like to be free to do some- 
thing for myself; to be the college president 
if I had the chance. I think I must be ambi- 
tious for something beyond mere salary. There 
are so many splendid things to life I ” 

“ But you must not let them stand in the 
way of happiness.” 

I really have not seen so much of the 
splendid side, of the grand men and women, 
and the great work that is being done. I do 
want, sometime, to be really in and of it; but 
it does not often come to early youth. Oh, I 
must read my letters,” and she blushed. Did 
ever a girl leave her first love letter unopened 
so long? 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 33 

‘‘ And I must write. I am glad to have 
this quiet day to ourselves.” 

Helen went over to the window. And she 
read Mr. Hildreth’s letter first. It contained 
two letters of introduction that he hoped she 
would send to the persons to whom they were 
addressed, and one was to a titled lady. 

Why was she not in a mood to be rapturous 
over this other letter? She had been almost 
swept off her feet, she said to herself more 
than once, like any romantic girl of sixteen. 
And the betrothal had been such a solemn thing 
to her, full of touching sweetness. Was the 
girl who had stood in Mr. Hildreth’s library 
and received his blessing, herself f What had 
opened this new life before her? She had 
said more than once that she was not a wor- 
shipful girl. Yes, she was glad this great joy 
had come to her, but she wanted to put it off 
a little, to get used to it. 

There were many things she could write 
about; they were new to her, but he had seen 
them and could appreciate all. So, busy with 
their letters, they both were surprised when 
lunch time came. Juliet had written quite a 


34 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

pile. Helen would write to friends by and 
by, when she had seen more and done more. 

It was mid-afternoon, and they were talking 
of taking a survey of their small corner of 
the city, when the maid came up with a card 
on which was a penciled line : “As their mutual 
friend, Mrs. Aldred, was not in, would the 
ladies see Sir Charles Waring, who was the 
bearer of many messages to the party ? ” 

“Qught we?’' asked Helen. “We shall 
have to learn the proprieties.” 

“ I wish Mrs. Aldred were in. Why — if it 
were not proper, I think he would not ask it.” 

“ Won’t it be awkward to introduce our- 
selves ? ” and Helen laughed. “ A titled call. 
Why, it is quite an adventure.” 

They went down to the drawing-room. The 
man who was standing by the window turned. 
He had a fresh, fair, cordial face, though he 
had passed the half century mark. He ex- 
pressed Helen’s ideal of an Englishman of the 
educated and well-bred type; the father of a 
family, prosperous, happy, content. It showed 
in every feature and lurked in rather merry 
blue eyes. 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 


35 

‘‘ Must I apologize ? I think this is Miss 
Grant. I have heard so much about you and 
your friend Miss Craven. Mrs. Aldred has 
been our guest for two successive years, and 
Lady Waring insisted that I should come over 
at once and see what your arrangements are, 
and whether I can be of assistance to you. 
When will Mrs. Aldred return? From her 
note, I felt sure of seeing her.*' 

“ A friend, whose two girls had been at 
her school, came for her this morning and 
would take no denial. There was to be a 
sort of welcome from old friends. She 
cannot be home until evening,” explained 
Miss Craven. 

“I suppose you have plans and plans. Of 
course you want to see all London. Do you 
know — will Mrs. Aldred go to Italy to her 
daughter’s? ” 

“ I think not. I believe Mr. and Mrs. 
Valatin are to meet us in Paris, where we go 
for the last few days. We and three others 
are the tourists this time, and Mrs. Aldred has 
kindly taken us in charge. My friend and I 
were among the pupils of other days. And 


36 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

there are three younger ones in the party,” ex- 
plained Helen. 

Yes, I hoped to see you all. We have 
been delightful friends. If I had any young 
people, girls, I should like to send them to 
her. We had a houseful once. Five are mar- 
ried, and now there are only three at home. 
They are quite scattered. One son and daugh- 
ter are in Canada; one son is in Egypt; one 
son and daughter settled near us; one daughter 
and two boys are at home. So at times we 
are glad to call in friends to make merry, as 
in the old days.” 

“ But we would be such a crowd,” Helen said 
mirthfully. Then she colored. Did he really 
mean to include all of them? 

Sir Charles was quite delightful. There 
were so many things to see in London, and 
the suburbs were quite as enticing. They lived 
up in Suffolk, where the family had taken root 
over two hundred years ago. There were 
many important points around them, short, de- 
lightful journeys. They must surely see his 
section of the country. How bright and chatty 
he was; it really seemed as if they had known 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 37 

him a long while, instead of a scant hour. He 
was to make some stay in London, and would 
come in, the next morning, to plan with Mrs. 
Aldred; and he hoped to be of some service 
in showing them about. 

They thanked him most cordially. 

“If that is a specimen Englishman, I am 
sure I shall like them,” said Helen. “ And our 
first guest — shall I call him ours ? — was a titled 
one. Think of that! A baronet, I suppose.” 

“ That is an hereditary title, I believe. Isn’t 
it odd how English families scatter about? 
Two married and in Canada, and a son in 
Egypt. Do you know, I should like to go to 
Egypt — that strange, weird, ancient country. 
But all of the East is wonderful. I am not 
surprised that it bewitches students.” 

They had a dainty tea in their own sitting- 
room. Then there was a long confidence that 
drew the friends closer together. It was nine 
when the rest of the party returned. 

“ Such a splendid time. Aunt Jue, and some 
of the nicest girls ! They were so glad to get 
Edith and Janet home. Only the house is so 
odd, — with queer passages and nooks, and the 


38 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

garden has a great, high brick wall around it. 
But the vines and the flowers ! Oh, dear ! I’m 
tired through and through,” and Wilma 
dropped down on the lounge. 

And we had a titled visitor. He was 
sorry to miss you, but he is coming in the 
morning. Here is his card,” and Helen handed 
it to her friend, whose face was alight with 
pleasure. 

“ Oh, that was delightful of him. When I 
wrote, I did not think of going to the Fox- 
crofts. Yes, I had told him a good deal about 
my girls, especially you, Helen. He is one of 
the charming men who take a great interest 
in girls, and wishes he had six instead of three. 
I shall be glad for you all to meet him.” 

‘‘ Then he isn’t like the father in Miss 
Broughton’s novel, ' who danced on the bills 
and made himself generally a tyrant ! ’ We 
shall have to remodel our opinions of English 
fathers. Or is it that you have picked out the 
very nicest ones during your sojourns? ” 

Mrs. Aldred gave an amused laugh. ‘‘Of 
course I knew Mrs. Foxcroft long ago, before 
her marriage. The first time I came over, I 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 39 

visited her and was much pleased with her 
husband and really charmed with their hos- 
pitality. Although Mr. Foxcroft has large 
manufacturing interests, he is better read than 
many of our men of the same class at home. 
Men here are taking a great deal of interest in 
the government, and keep themselves better in- 
formed. There is not so much change here. 
I want you both to see him, them, and the 
old house that they have beautified without 
spoiling it. But Sir Charles is on quite a dif- 
ferent line. They are living not far from Sud- 
bury. The Grange is a lovely old place, with 
cottages, peasants, and an ivy-covered stone 
church; a bit of rural England still, near to 
many places of interest, and, as you see, not 
far from London. I do believe you will have 
to visit them.” 

“ Oh ! dear, we didn’t consider visits. And 
there is Scotland and the Emerald Isle. I 
ought to go and kiss the Blarney stone. I 
sometimes think I am too direct. School- 
ma’ams are apt to get that way,” laughed Helen 
gayly. 

“ They count on us all for the garden party,” 


40 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

said Wilma. “ I want to take some nice Eng- 
lish ways home with me. Though I didn’t see 
that the Foxcroft girls were much different, 
and they were not at all pretentious. I liked 
that. And they never grumbled about rules.” 

We must all go to bed,” said Juliet. 
“ Time has not hung heavily on our hands, but 
it seems a long while since morning.” 

They were up betimes the next morning, 
and had their first mail. There were many 
things to talk over; guide-books to study, jour- 
neys to plan. 

‘‘ One thing I am resolved to do is the 
British Museum,” announced Helen. “ I can’t 
imagine what father would have done with 
me. We should have lived in lodgings, I sup- 
pose, and I would have spent my time copying 
or deciphering. And not a real girl friend! 
I’ve had such a happy time at Westfield, teach- 
ing, though at first there were some infelici- 
ties,” and she drew her face in a funny ex- 
pression. “ I am fond of folks, and I don’t 
want them all alike, either.” 

And Westminster Abbey, and the palaces, 
and the historic streets and places where noted 


A FLOCK OF GIRLS 4I 

people lived! Why, we could spend our two 
months in London alone,” exclaimed Juliet. 

Oh, I don’t wonder people come and come 
again.” 

Then Sir Charles was announced. 

He entered with an old friend’s delight, and 
met the young girls with a charming cordiality 
that won them at once. He was the bearer of 
messages from Lady Waring, which included 
the whole party in a week-end visit. Since 
their stay was limited, could they not come to- 
morrow and stay until Monday? No other 
visitors were expected. 

But ” Mrs. Aldred looked aghast. 

“ What! all of us?” 

“ Of course. Why should we make fish of 
one and fowl of the other? You couldn’t leave 
the young ladies behind.” 

There was such a merry, persuasive light 
playing about his face that no one could doubt 
his sincerity. He seemed to enjoy the sort pf 
consternation with which they glanced at one 
another. 

We are hardly prepared ” 

‘‘As if we expected all manner of spic-and- 


42 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Span adornments from tourists! Bessy, oddly 
enough, is all curiosity to see the young girls. 
We know so much of Mrs. Aldred’s family,” 
turning to the younger member of the flock. 

“ Bessy ” meant Elizabeth, the eldest daugh- 
ter. The two others had married young. She 
had had a rather pathetic romance, interrupted 
by death, and had become her mother’s com- 
panion. 

“ Well — shall we consider that as settled ? 
You will have Friday morning to get your 
fallals ready. There will be no young gentle- 
men but my own two boys. Perhaps it will 
hardly be gay enough,” and there was a lurking 
shade of mischief in his eyes. 

“ Oh, we have not come on an expedition 
merely for gayeties or fun,” returned Helen. 
“ Wasn’t it Bulwer who wrote, ‘ My Novel, 
or the Varieties of English Life ’? We want 
to see the varieties so we can discuss them in- 
telligently when we return home. Though I 
do not think I shall write a book until my 
next visit.” 

There was such a charming mock-serious- 
ness in this that he studied her in some doubt. 




A FLOCK OF GIRLS 


43 

“ You are most kind to take us all, in this 
fashion. I don’t just know what is proper to 
say. After we have been in Scotland, and 
have interviewed Ireland’s treasure, the Blar- 
ney stone, we may be better prepared.” 

“ We are not going to wait. You will be so 
full of reminiscences and descriptions that the 
real you will be far out of sight. We want 
to take the American freshness.” 

Mrs. Aldred felt that as there were to be no 
other guests it would not prove embarrassing. 
Lady Waring was a delightful hostess, she 
knew. 

So that was decided. He would be in for 
them at two the next afternoon. 

‘‘ And now what are you to do to-day ? 
Can I be of any service to you? There are 
the picture galleries ” 

** The Museum is my first desire. Is it 
very far? and is there much of what is called 
* red tape ’ about it ? I have a particular wish 
to see the Oriental Department.” 

‘‘ This is one of the days. We were 
speaking of something Mrs. Aldred told 
us last summer; that your father was an 


44 HELEN GRANT^S HARVEST YEAR 

Oriental scholar. Yes, it will be interesting 
to you.” 

I suppose there are other Departments,” 
said Miss Orton. “ I do not think I am up in 
those learned matters. Oh, yes,” looking over 
the guide-book, there are Greek and Roman 
rooms, and pictures and statuary, and the Elgin 
marbles — and ever so many things to attract 
the unlearned.” 

“ I remember asking my father,” said Wilma, 
‘‘ what ‘ the marbles ' were. It was a long 
time ago, and the only marbles I knew were 
what we used in playing a game on a board, 
and I thought that must be a wrong name.” 

Sir Charles laughed. 

They made ready, Mrs. Aldred really glad 
to have an escort. 

“ We don^t look quite so much like a Cook 
party,” said Helen. Yet we have two 
teachers.” 

The younger girls watched everything with 
eager eyes. Though I do believe I would 
much rather have gone shopping,” declared 
Miss Orton. “ I’ve done the Metropolitan 
Museum no end of times.” 


CHAPTER III 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 

They were awed by the magnificent stretch 
of buildings which occupied the place of what 
had once been the Montague House, whose 
collection had begun one hundred and fifty 
odd years before. It had been rebuilt on a 
much larger scale and added to by generous 
donors. They seemed almost lost within, 
though there were other visitors ; but the spaces 
were so large, and there were so many of them. 

Sir Charles thought they had better go to 
the North Gallery first, and then to the As- 
syrian Saloon, where the pictures and tablets 
told a coherent story. It was an extensive, 
glass-roofed hall with a gallery round it. Here 
were reliefs and tablets from the time of 
Assurpanipal, Senacherib ; scenes of war, bring- 
ing in captives, banqueting with musicians and 
courtiers and slaves in throngs about, many 


45 


46 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

of them on their knees in attitudes of the most 
abject humility. How it brought back that 
old summer! 

The custodian came and spoke to Sir Charles. 

“ I should like to introduce you to Miss 
Grant, whose father was employed here some 
years ago. He was an Oriental scholar — a 
translator — do you call it? — of those curious 
old languages written on stone.” 

“ Miss Grant ! Yes, I recall the Professor. 
He did us a great service, in discovering a 
key whereby some of the cylinders could be 
read. And we were most sorry to lose him, 
though the doctor had insisted that he should 
leave his work and take a journey somewhere. 
We have many of his treasures. And I am 
very happy to have you visit us, Miss Grant. 
Will you come and see the room where he 
worked? He was most neat and methodical.” 

They entered a narrow passageway from 
which two rooms opened. A man was busy 
in one. In the other, a few things were piled 
up on the table and rows of shelves were full. 
One window lighted it, supplemented by num- 
bers of gas burners. Here was where he had 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 47 

sat, wearing out his poor eyes, taxing his 
nerves, relinquishing his love for his kind, in 
the fascinating pursuit of the doings of those 
who had lived and died centuries agone. The 
quick tears came to Helen’s eyes. 

But she was glad to hear him praised and 
to know that he had been appreciated. Per- 
haps he had not cared for human love. She 
pitied her poor mother, but why did she marry 
a scholar! 

“ How strange it all seems,” said Juliet as 
they turned away. Suppose you had been 
compelled to come 1 ” 

‘‘ It would have been but for a brief while. 
I am glad he could end his life among friends, 
and be buried with mother. Let us go to 
some brighter curiosities. Those old nations 
seem so cruel to me.” 

They rejoined the others, and found many 
choice and wonderful things. 

“ One wants days and days to see even the 
half of them. I always find something new 
in our own museum,” said Juliet. '' I wonder 
if in a hundred or so years we shall have any- 
thing like this ? ” 


48 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ They are making some remarkable dis- 
coveries of prehistoric people in our own coun- 
try and in Central America. How many na- 
tions have passed away! And in many in- 
stances their histories are lost. * They had 
their day and ceased to be.’ ” 

“Have you any idea of the time?” asked 
Sir Charles. “ And it is quite possible that you 
young people are suffering from the pangs 
of hunger and heroically concealing it. Now 
we must go and have some luncheon. Then 
we will have an omnibus ride around the city.” 

Mrs. Aldred thought they had better return 
to their lodgings, but she was overruled. The 
girls declared they were hungry. Sir Charles 
knew of a very nice place. 

“ I hope it is real English,” said Helen. 
“ We have been American all our lives, and 
now we want to take the color of the country.” 

They had a table to themselves in a cozy 
corner, and the cold roast and the chicken 
were undeniably good. They had a merry 
time over their meal, and it seemed as if they 
must have known Sir Charles for years. 

The omnibus ride was delightful, though the 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 49 

streets were so full that Helen wondered how 
they could pick their way in and out, and why 
pedestrians were not run over. At last they 
reached home. 

‘‘ I have had a most enjoyable time with 
you all,'’ he said, and thank you for the pleas- 
ure. Now you will remember to let nothing 
happen; not a headache or a toothache must 
interfere. At two, precisely, you may look 
for me.” 

“ I hardly know how to thank you,” said 
Mrs. Aldred. 

‘‘ Don’t. That would spoil it all,” he 
laughed. 

“ Isn’t he just splendid ! ” exclaimed Elma. 
Why, I feel as if I had gained a new uncle. 
But I know I shall be afraid of Lady Waring. 
And I wish there was a real young girl.” 

‘‘ Lady Waring is very sweet and affable. 
You were not afraid of Mrs. Foxcroft! ” 

“ But we had known the girls for so long. 
Mr. Foxcroft isn’t as jolly as Sir Charles, but 
he is very pleasant.” 

I’m just tired to death ! ” exclaimed Miss 
Orton, ‘‘ and I’m going for a rest.” 


50 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ Oh, Mrs. Aldred, what must we have to 
wear ? ” asked Helen. “ Can we wear the same 
frock three times to dinner? You know you 
stipulated that we should take as little luggage 
as possible.” 

We shall have some time to shop to- 
morrow morning. And as we are tourists, not 
much is expected of us.” 

Oh, I do hope that before we go home some 
one will ask us to a high-up function where 
there will be titled people and gorgeous gowns,” 
said Wilma. Do you know any such people, 
dear Mrs. Aldred ? ” in a very entreating tone. 

Oh, Wilma ! ” reproved Miss Craven. 

I have made a few choice friends over 
here, but I am not hand and glove with the 
aristocracy.” 

The girl sighed in mock disappointment, but 
Mrs. Aldred gave an amused smile. Then tea 
was sent up. They were all rather tired, but 
Juliet and Helen could not forbear talking over 
old times. 

Helen, Juliet, and Mrs. Aldred went out for 
the shopping. The girls were promised a day 
at the beautiful stores, only we must take up 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 5 1 

the habit of saying ‘ shops/ ” was the sugges- 
tion. 

But I think ^ stores ’ sounds prettier.'’ 

Their luggage was packed and they were 
all ready when Sir Charles came. He ex- 
pressed himself delighted that there was not 
an ‘ ache ' among them. 

A short railway journey, then, at the station, 
the family carriage, and Miss Elizabeth in the 
two-seated surrey. She alighted and came to 
be introduced to them. A fair, pleasant-look- 
ing girl, young for her eight-and-twenty years, 
neither exactly pretty nor really plain, but with 
a very sweet voice. 

“ These are the twins," she said, but you 
are not quite alike. It is very perplexing to 
have so strong a resemblance that you cannot 
be told apart. We have two boy cousins that 
still puzzle me. And what pranks they used 
to play on every one! Will you both ride 
with me ? " 

They were very willing to. And it was a 
lovely drive, through a beautiful country, 
Where estates were still large enough to have 
quite extensive grounds. They passed a fine 


52 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

old church and a pretty, modern chapel, and 
then some half-embowered houses that seemed 
hidden away. Then they turned into a drive 
bordered by grand old trees, and here, on a 
slight elevation, stood the Grange, in all its 
bravery of points and ells and bow-windows 
and turrets. Several of the Warings had 
added to it, so it was not all of one style of 
architecture. There was a generous porch run- 
ning across the front, partly shaded by vines. 
Easy-chairs, hammocks, and, at one end, a tea- 
table. Great urns of blooming flowers stood 
here and there. 

Lady Waring advanced and greeted Mrs. 
Aldred cordially, and was then made ac- 
quainted with the younger members of the 
party. Were they not very tired after their 
journey? Would they sit and, rest awhile be- 
fore going to their rooms ? She was very glad 
they could come in such a party. Sir Charles 
was so fond of young people, and they had so 
few now. 

The tea came in, and was handed around. 
Elizabeth went from one to another with the 
grace of cordiality. 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 53 

** I should think people would get tired of 
drinking so much tea,” said Miss Orton, in 
the lowest of tones, to Helen. “ At home we 
think it spoils the complexion, dries up your 
blood, and makes you yellow. Miss Waring is 
as fresh as a just opened lily. How do they 
keep so ? ” 

The two elder ladies were having a de- 
lightfully informal chat, bringing Miss Craven 
into it. Then, presently, they were convoyed 
to their rooms, which were quite by themselves 
in a modern wing of the building. 

And to think,” began Wilma in a joyous 
tone, ‘‘ we have been taken up by the aristoc- 
racy at once. Sir Charles is just lovely, and 
doesn’t make you feel a bit afraid.” 

“ Not very high in the aristocratic world,” 
said Miss Orton. I doubt if it is the pathway 
to the Queen.” 

‘‘ Fm going to leave that for the next visit,” 
laughed the girl. I can’t take in everything. 
Oh, Mrs. Aldred, you are real splendid to 
know so many nice people and give us a share 
of them,” catching the lady’s hand with an 
ardent pressure. 


54 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

At dinner, the last born of the household 
made his appearance ; a tall, well-grown young 
fellow of nineteen, who favored his father; 
though in the presence of this bevy of girls he 
let his father take the lead in entertaining. 
Elizabeth and her mother were charming. 
Afterward they adjourned to the beautiful, 
fragrant porch and talked over plans. The 
County Cricket Club was to have a match to- 
morrow at ten. There were not many enter- 
tainments at this season, except driving about. 

“ I think I have never seen cricket played,’’ 
said Helen. We run to lawn tennis.” 

‘‘ It’s hardly worth inviting one to see,” said 
the young fellow apologetically. Only, the 
drive is fine. You see, they are a young club 
and need sharp training. You should be in 
London when the Eton and Harrows play, 
or for the Oxford and Cambridge matches. 
Why, you ought to have a good month in 
London, there is so much going on.” 

I’d like to have a year,” returned Helen. 

Frank Waring came around and sat on the 
step, where he could see the faces of the group. 
The Gartney girls were very sweet-looking and 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 55 

young. At nineteen, he felt somewhat afraid 
of girls. Miss Grant had a certain friendli- 
ness in her easy manner. He wondered if it 
came from college training, for it suggested 
two other girls — the only ones he was at all 
familiar with. 

They decided to go over to Broughton the 
next morning, even if they did not understand 
the game, but Frank made some lucid expla- 
nations. They all knew tennis; at Miss 
Craven’s there was a fine ground, where they 
played during summer holidays. Then fol- 
lowed a talk about Kingsland Manor and their 
school days at Mrs. Aldred’s. 

Broughton cricket grounds were in fine 
order. There were seats around, and the 
match called out the better class of residents, 
who greeted Miss Waring cordially. Frank 
found seats for his party and introduced them 
to a number of people, among them two of the 
players and several other young men, drawn 
thither by the pleasure of meeting newcomers 
' — ^American girls at that. Then the call was 
made, the wickets were in order, and the men 
took their places. 


56 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ Here is a sort of guide, though I suppose 
you won’t understand the terms. Bess will 
explain some of them. Harlan is a good 
cricket player,” laughing. “ He’s played in 
some of the matches. I wish he was here. 
You see he is more used to — to — well, this 
sort of thing than I. Well, he’s almost 
three years older, — let’s hope, wiser,” with a 
lifting of the brows. ‘‘ Hello ! Oh, I say, 
Bess, there are the Hallet girls. Can’t you 
make room for them here ? ” 

He was off like a flash, and returned with 
two tall, fair, decidedly English-looking girls, 
plainly dressed but with a certain style about 
them of the more intellectual order; Miss 
Hallet and Miss Maud Hallet, whom Bessy 
welcomed with great cordiality. 

“ Mother insisted upon our coming over. 
She thought we might meet some friends, and 
we had hardly left the smoke of our own chim- 
ney since our return. Maud has only a month, 
and she ought to be bottling up fresh air for 
the next year. How lovely everything is ! 
And when you think of the city — well, of 
course there are some compensations.” 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 57 

Helen had made room beside herself. Maud 
was on the other hand of Elizabeth. A young 
man was standing in front of the others, keep- 
ing up a lively conversation with Miss Orton. 

Miss Elinor Hallet answered Miss Waring’s 
inquiries. Her father was a little weaker; she 
could see that he had failed since Easter. 
Mother was quite well. Father slept a good 
deal, and that gave her mother more chance for 
rest. Then she should be here until Septem- 
ber 20th. Yet she gave a little sigh. 

‘‘ You two ought to slip easily into reminis- 
cences,’’ declared Frank. “ You are both col- 
lege girls.” 

They looked at each other and smiled. 

“ I’m a Girton. I believe we girls are un- 
duly proud of that.” 

“ Oh, I am very glad to meet you,” and 
Helen clasped the offered hand. “We are 
always interested in the fame of that institu- 
tion. I know of several who have come over 
for a degree. I had an offer at once to teach 
in a very select boarding school — that was two 
years ago.” 

“ And as soon as I was graduated, I taught 


58 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

in a high school. I like teaching. Only 
my scholars have not been of the highest 
order, but they improve,” with an odd accent. 

I wonder how many girls go to study ! 
They are proud of the name and standing of 
their school. Their mothers wish them to be 
accomplished on certain lines. They hope to 
marry, after a year or so of society.” 

“ There are in America so many girls and 
women who are dependent on their own exer- 
tions. I suppose there are some here ? ” 

Every year, more. We are in prosaic 
times ; the romantic era has passed. I wonder 
what the upshot will be? It is so different 
from our mothers’ early days.” 

“ But life is broader,” said Helen. ‘‘ And 
more interesting.” 

“ Perhaps so,” rather reluctantly. Are 
you interested in the new movement? ” 

‘‘For what? There are so many things.’^ 
“ The woman’s movement — suffrage.” 

“ It is talked about a great deal,” returned 
Helen. “ I do not think we are in as dead 

earnest about it as you are. Do you ” 

then she paused. 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 59 

I don’t quite see the good of it all. Yet 
there are some splendid women in it. I think it 
requires a good deal of education and ex- 
perience to understand well. And, you see, 
men do not agree as to what is best for the 
country — for the times. In our seminary it is 
tabooed. The girls are supposed to be fitted 
for future wives and mothers. And it is re- 
freshing, sometimes, to steal out and hear the 
other side. The suffragists, like the men, do 
not always agree on the panacea. Yet there 
are some lecturers that carry you right along 
and almost convince you that their way would 
bring about the millennium. I met one about 
Easter time who quite bewildered me. Oddly 
enough, she is American born; a fine, strong 
woman about at middle life, who has taken 
several degrees and can earn money easily. A 
Miss Trevor. You may have seen her name. 
She created quite a stir.” 

“Miss Trevor!” It called up old remem- 
brances. Helen knit her brows for a mo- 
ment. Ob — at her first college year — her 
room-mate. Miss Grace Trevor. Then she 
gave a little laugh. “ Miss Marian Trevor? ” 


6o HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Miss Hallet nodded. 

“ It is funny,” said Helen, “ often you meet 
some one who knows the same person some 
friend of yours knows. That isn’t very clearly 
expressed. The Miss Trevor I knew about 
visited her brother’s family — nice, lovable peo- 
ple, I think, satisfied to remain in what is called 
the commonplace round, — very fond of each 
other and very helpful with each other. She 
resolved that a niece should have the higher 
education, and arranged to send her to college. 
She was my room-mate. And she had a lover 
that her aunt scouted utterly. Don’t you think 
there are some pint measures that never can be 
made to hold a quart? Some very positive 
people insist in pressing it down. Well, my 
girl did not succeed very well. Then her lover 
saw his way clear to propose to her, and she 
knew that she would fail in some of her exam- 
inations. Her aunt meant her to come to Eng- 
land and finish her education, but she had to 
go to the Continent. Grace, with her parents’ 
consent, threw up college life, went home and 
took a position in a public school that she could 
have had the year before. She was well fitted 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 6l 

for it. She kept it two years, then was mar- 
ried to the one she loved better than Greek and 
Latin. They have a home of their own and are 
very happy I believe. But her aunt was not 
nice about it, although she refused to take 
back the money she had advanced, which they 
offered. But I think Grace chose wisely.’’ 

“ Oh, I think that is the Miss Trevor. She 
believes that education alone will raise women. 
She scouts marriage. Indeed, she inveighs 
bitterly against it for the poorer classes. • It 
is a big question. I don’t pretend to wrestle 
with it. I think the poor need common educa- 
tion instead of the higher branches. But I 
wish you could hear her talk. She’s of the 
Socialist order on certain lines. What I have 
to do mostly is to go straight ahead. I am 
glad I can earn a fair salary. It would be 
foolish to marry a poor man with not much of 
a prospect, so I’m not likely to do that.” 

“ And your sister ” 

‘‘ Oh, Maud has taken up hospital work. 
She really has a fondness for it; sympathy and 
fitness, and a certain intuitive readiness in 
emergencies. This year she gets a salary. 


62 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

We both have good health and are, I think, 
strong, if not strong-minded. But am I bor- 
ing you? I don’t often talk to people this 
way.” 

“ I think I have done my share of the talk- 
ing. And it is odd that we should have struck 
upon Miss Trevor.” 

Well, have you been following the game ? 
It’s the poorest thing I ever saw! Have you 
understood any of it? ” inquired Frank. 

“ No, we have been talking about our own 
happenings, and it has been very interesting. 
How much longer will the game last? ” 

He laughed. “ Are you tired ? Let us get 
up and walk about. ,Your sister and Maud 
are deep in the sorrows and hurts of the poor. 
There’s a little booth out beyond, where you 
can get some cookies and spruce beer; cream, 
maybe. I’d like to know what you talked 
about.” 

All three laughed. The girls rose. Helen 
glanced down at the younger girls, who were 
chatting with some youthful admirers. 

There were several refreshment places man- 
aged by stout, tidy-looking country women, — 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 63 

farmers’ wives — who counted on turning an 
honest penny at these infrequent meets. There 
was some noisy wrangling on the grounds. 

I’d like to kick half a dozen of those fel- 
lows,” broke out the young man. I’m 
ashamed of the town.” 

They refreshed themselves, and Miss Hallet 
and Frank met some old friends. There was 
a sudden uproar. The umpire had called 
play,” and one party had refused. One side 
had several innings, the other only one; and 
there were angry words about unfair play. 
The guests had began to disperse. 

I wish you could come over home with us,” 
began Elinor Hallet. “ We are not half 
talked out. Frank, couldn’t you take the others 
home and then come for Miss Grant? You 
ought to see all of England that you can, espe- 
cially the ‘ stately homes,’ ” laughing. Ours 
is old and has several ghosts; legends of love 
and hate.” 

Helen looked wistful. Upon consulting the 
others, they were agreed; and while Frank was 
getting the horses ready, the three walked 
away. 


64 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

The small hamlet lay below them. There 
was a large patch of common, then they seemed 
to plunge into a wood of gray, soaring beeches, 
majestic enough for a forest. The road was in 
good order, though it was just a driving road. 
Then came a plantation of young trees where 
saplings seemed to crowd each other. A small 
stream wound sluggishly about. 

This is not the most enlivening way, but 
it is the shortest,” began Maud. “ What a 
fiasco the game was ! They are to have it over 
again. Last year Harlan came down and gave 
them a little training. We have always been 
such friends with Frank! And is not Lady 
Waring charming? ” 

“ And Sir Charles most delightful.” 

The road widened and parted, running in 
two directions. There was a wide cleared 
space with some shrubbery and beds of flowers, 
and a queer old gray stone house, much of it 
ivy-covered. The ponderous hall door, when 
shut, looked like a barricade, but both parts 
stood wide open now. A large hall stood re- 
vealed, with a worn stone staircase going up 
one side. There were faded family portraits. 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 6$ 

arms, two fine deer heads, one with immense 
antlers. Rooms opened from the hall, and they 
entered one. 

“ The place is entailed,’’ explained Elinor. 
‘‘ Father’s uncle had it, and he was a queer, un- 
social fellow, with one ne’er-do-well son. 
They quarreled dreadfully, and one day the 
son was found dead out in the woods, but there 
were no marks of violence. Then the father 
was found dead in his room. Our father was 
doing a small business at Barking, and times 
had been very hard with him. That was fifteen 
years ago. He was next in the succession, so 
we came here. It seemed a Godsend then. 
Father cleared up the place a good deal. There 
was quite an income from various sources, but 
he found that most of his labor would benefit 
only the next heir. You see, if he had had a 
son there would have been something to strive 
for. But the next Hallets — father and son — 
are idle, drunken, roystering fellows. Father 
tried to make some compromise about the entail 
but they would not listen to it, although they 
expect to break it when they come into pos- 
session. We were at school, then I went to 


66 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

college. Maud did not care for it after the 
first year, and went in for hospital training. 
Then, two years ago, father had a stroke. I 
am glad we have no brother, though it has 
been a great grief to mother. But on the 
men’s side the Hallets seemed marked for mis- 
fortune. Something happens to every one of 
them who has come here. Several have died 
violent, mysterious deaths. Father has been 
growing gradually worse, and now his mind 
has gone entirely. He’s fifteen years older 
than mother; they were not very young when 
they were married. So we have had time to 
adapt ourselves to the great change.” 

Oh, what a sad life! ” cried Helen. 

'' A sort of troubled life. It was fortunate 
to have this home to come to when we did. 
We can care for ourselves now, and mother 
has a small income; so we shall get rooms in 
some London suburb. I don’t like what I am 
teaching in the Young Ladies’ Seminary,” and 
there was a touch of scorn in her voice, but 
it pays well — perhaps because I am a Girton 
girl. I think we shall some day go to New 
Zealand. That must be a woman’s paradise. 


WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT 67 

Miss Trevor is right on one point; we people 
the world too fast. There are too many 
women earning half a loaf of bread.’’ 

The tone had a half indifferent hopelessness 
about it. 

‘‘Why don’t you take Miss Grant through 
the old house and tell her the ghost stories? 
There are no such places in America, it is too 
new. Part of this is three centuries old. 
Some poet says — 

“ * All houses where men have lived and died 
Are haunted houses — ’ 

but we have never seen a ghost, have we, 
Nell?” 

Still, Helen thought the dilapidated rooms, 
with their old furniture and dark comers, 
might harbor no end of ghosts. All the north- 
ern part was unused. It was cold and dreary. 
And there were curious stories, but none of 
them had really occurred within their time. 

“ The curse of long ago said that no Hallet 
should die in his bed,” remarked Maud, “ but 
father may break the spell. Mother has a 
lovely friend — her foster sister — who is well 
and strong, so she never needs us. We have 


68 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

nearly always been away. But we love each 
other dearly, and she will come to us some- 
time. There is Frank down in the court. 
Have we chilled your young blood with these 
dismal tales ? ’’ 


CHAPTER IV 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 

It was nice to get out into the sunshine; to 
see the brilliant bloom and hear the birds. 
Were these gay colors of Mrs. Hallefs choos- 
ing? Helen wondered. How was it that Frank 
seemed so at home with these two girls, both 
older than himself? Wouldn’t he come in 
and have some tea and cakes, or fruit? Or 
they could have it brought here, and she sum- 
moned the housekeeper. 

They had a rather amusing meal, berating 
the cricket players, ridiculing the old ghosts of 
the house, planning some drives, talking about 
Frank’s sister in Canada — until the horses 
grew restless. It was a pity that Helen’s stay 
was to be so short. 

But people do meet again, somewhere and 
somehow,” said Elinor. ‘‘ And I’m wonder- 
fully interested in your life. Most of us just 

69 


70 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

drift and never start out after any real 
thing." 

“ I think I shall never do anything wonder- 
ful; it will be just the ordinary woman's life." 

“ If Miss Trevor talks anywhere while you 
are in London, go to hear her. lYou will want 
to achieve something beside the ordinary life. 
People — women — who have minds have aims." 

Frank put her into the carriage and the girls 
waved their hands to each other. He turned 
into the southerly road that presently led out 
to the highway. How beautiful it was with 
its overarching trees, its bird songs, the patches 
of blue sky between. 

‘‘ I'm going to take you for quite a drive. 
I want you to talk about the Hallets. I'm so 
glad you met them. They are not of the com- 
mon run of girls. I wish Elinor had been a 
boy, a man. After all, women can't do much 
with their lives." 

Then the entail would go on to some other 
tragedy." 

“ It's horrid, isn't it? Father has a cousin 
who is an M.P., a splendid fellow, too, but I 
suppose you could call him a Radical. He 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 7 1 

thinks there should be no entails. He and 
father have famous talks, and they care a 
great deal for each other. Why, our place 
would go to him if there were no sons. When 
you are in London you must go and hear some 
debates. Harlan will be there; you must meet 
him. Now there’s Mossdeane going to ruin, 
and really it is an historic old place. It’s very 
curiously tied up, father says, and the next 
heirs would disgrace the neighborhood if they 
came here. This Mr. Hallet was real energetic 
at first, but what was the use? He could just 
have his living. And he is dying now. The 
doctor doesn’t see how he lives from day to 
day. I like Elinor. She talks of things girls 
don’t usually care for ; and she knows such lots 
of things. She ought to be in a college — will 
be in ten years’ time, I dare say. She’s saving 
money. She’s bound not to come to want. 
Bess likes her a great deal, but you can see 
they would never be ardent friends. Perhaps 
Miss Hallet will never be ardent with anybody, 
but she has it in her.” 

‘‘ What a curious life they must lead.” 

“ Well,” reflectively, ‘‘ so many girls are sent 


72 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

away to school that they hardly know what 
home is like. Ours had a governess. Then 
the better class go into society and marry; the 
others have to do something, work for a living. 
And your true Englishman kicks against that." 

Helen laughed, then said merrily, ‘‘ But if 
there are not men enough to go round, what 
are they to do? It doesn’t seem to me that 
starvation is a pleasant process." 

‘‘ Oh, must they starve ? " 

“ Well, you see, they can no longer spin or 
weave, and the style of living furnishes less 
work. Machinery makes our clothes, only 
some one must go to the shops and tend the 
machines. People live in rooms and flats now, 
there are no floors to scrub; we buy our bread 
in the cities; we can get cooked meats and 
canned things, and it doesn’t need three or four 
girls to do that sort of housekeeping. Idleness 
soon begets dissatisfaction. Oh, but you see 
they must work." 

She knows so much," he said presently. 
‘‘ She coached me last vacation. She’s the 
greatest hand for the Latin poets. I think she 
knows the Phsedo all by heart, and lots of 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 


73 

other things. She has even studied politics, 
but Fm afraid she’ll go over to the Socialist 
side.” 

“ Why does she teach in that school ? ” asked 
Helen. She seems to consider it preten- 
tious ” 

“ Maybe she wouldn’t confess this to every- 
body. The salary was so much higher than 
she was offered elsewhere, she told me. I don’t 
think real learning is always appreciated. And, 
at first, Mr. Hallet was only paralyzed on one 
side, and improved. It was thought he might 
live for years.” 

What did Frank mean to do with himself? 

“ Harlan is at Oxford. He wants to take 
up politics. Fred would study engineering — 
bridge-building and all that sort of thing. He 
had a good opportunity to go to Canada, and 
married a railroad magnate’s daughter. Why, 
I shall have to turn farmer and supervise the 
estate, exhibit fat cattle, and attend county 
fairs.” 

They both laughed at that. 

“ Now here is a beautiful view. Did you 
ever see such magnificent trees? Give an oak 


74 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

a fair chance and he is notably king of trees. 
And see that beech ! I love trees. Don’t you 
suppose they understand when the leaves whis- 
per to each other? ” 

So they dallied along. She did not laugh 
at his conceits as Elinor Hallet felt free to, 
some of them were so tender; things you did 
not look for in a young fellow shedding boy- 
hood. It was quite late when they drove up 
the avenue. The three girls were in a group 
on the step. The twins nodded. Miss Orton 
held her head up stiffly. 

Helen colored. She ought to have known 
better than to monopolize the only young man. 
She nodded gayly, saying : — 

‘‘ They kept us awhile at the Hallets’, and 
then we had an enchanting drive.” 

Juliet was in her room, writing letters. 
There was a pile for Helen. '‘Are they all 
well ? ” she asked. 

" Yes. Theo is very good without me. I 
do think she is a lovely child. I am wild to 
see her again.” 

There was a letter from Mr. Hildreth, one 
from Dick Eastman — ^and the other brought 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 75 

a warm flush to her face. She did not want 
a rapturous love letter just now. She took 
off her hat and smoothed her hair; fanned her- 
self — for the air of the room was warm after 
the balmy wind out of doors — and began to 
talk about the Hallets and what Frank had said 
of the cricket players. Then she went to her 
own room, bathed her face, brushed her hair, 
and put on her white frock. How charming 
everything was ! The white window draperies, 
the vase of flowers, the few most appropriate 
pictures, the shelf of books — ^there was Brown- 
ing among them. 

Dick's letter was very entertaining. He had 
procured a guide-book, and was going to follow 
every step of the journey. And there was 
some pleasant gossip of the town. A plot for 
a new factory had been bought, down by the 
bend of the river. Then the books he was 
reading. 

“ I don’t suppose you will meet any boys, 
real English boys, who have been to Eton or 
Rugby. I wish you could see the House of 
Commons and some of the men who are talked 
about so much. It’s funny that their season 


76 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

should be in midsummer. Remember all the 
splendid things to tell the school.” 

Was she so very much in love a month ago ? 
Was she tired and chaotic now, and would 
it all come back to her? She was frightened 
at herself. Putting the letters in a drawer she 
went out again to Juliet. 

Mrs. Aldred thinks we had better take 
Scotland next week, and then return to Lon- 
don. She has had a note from a friend who 
would like to join us, and with her husband 
and son will start on Thursday. That will 
give us three days for going about. We must 
not loiter so much, pleasant as the loitering is. 
It will not make so much difference to me, 
but she must be home on time, and you as 
well.” 

We shall have to come again and again ! 
How people see it all in a few days ” 

‘'They go about with guide-book in hand; 
that explains faster than your eyes or your 
thoughts.” 

“ Well,” returned Helen. 

They settled it that evening. Helen kept 
with the elders. Whether Frank did not like 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 77 

it, or was weary of feminines, she could not 
tell, for he stayed off somewhere. 

He walked to church with Miss Orton the 
next morning, and felt he had done his duty. 
Why was there so little you could say to girls ? 

Elizabeth came up, about mid-afternoon, and 
begged them to come to the drawing-room. 
Her father’s cousin had driven over from 
Westmere, and would be pleased to see all the 
party. The girls had already made his ac- 
quaintance. 

‘‘ He is the Parliament man,” said Helen, 
‘‘ Frank’s especial favorite. Why, we are in 
luck.” 

Archibald Waring was tall and fair, with a 
certain family resemblance, an affable manner, 
and a rich, fluent voice that would attract 
attention at once. He was detailing family 
matters. They were bargaining for a house 
when the two youngest came down with the 
measles. The house was given up as some one 
stood ready to take it, but the cases had proved 
very light, and they had resumed their plans. 
Lady Redgrave had offered them her house, as 
she was going to Spain, and next week Caro- 


78 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

line, Mrs. Waring, would go in and settle her- 
self. The children would be left with the 
nurse; if anything happened they could get to 
them very easily. And now he had come over 
to get Lady Waring and Elizabeth to promise 
them a week; the first in August would suit 
his wife. There were to be some great debates 
toward the last, and it would be very interest- 
ing. Were their friends going to be in London 
any length of time? 

Mrs. Aldred rehearsed their plans. They 
could spend about ten days in Scotland, and a 
little later visit some of the noted places of 
Ireland. There was always so much more to 
see than one had counted on. They had hoped 
to get to Paris for a few days. 

“ Then we shall expect to see you in Lon- 
don, and I shall be glad to be of service to you. 
You will want to see some of the speakers, 
if you cannot hear what they say. That is 
not so much matter to people who do not have 
to suffer or obey legislation.” 

Or not even understand it,” commented Sir 
Charles, with a rather humorous smile. 

Then the two men fell into a discussion of 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 79 

the Irish question, to which Helen listened 
with a good deal of interest. Archibald War- 
ing had a fine, flexible voice, and he was too 
well-bred to attack Sir Charles’ opinions very 
forcibly just now. Then Mr. Waring took up 
the ladies’ forthcoming journey, and spoke of 
the historic places they must be sure to see, 
mentioning several they had not put down. He 
was very interesting. But he would not stay 
to dinner; it was a long ride back to Westmere, 
and he was due in London on Monday noon. 

That happens most opportunely,” said Mrs. 
Aldred. For several privileges, you do have 
to apply to a member. I knew some two or 
three well enough to ask a favor, but it is 
pleasanter to have things come to you.” 

We seem to be in luck,” declared Juliet. 
** I have heard of tourists being snubbed ; but 
I don’t wonder at it when I see the pushing 
people one meets. They get snubbed in our 
own city.” 

“ I was wondering what good angel would 
come to our assistance,” laughed Helen. “ The 
authorities, I believe, pay more attention to 
accredited angels.” 


80 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

The visit had been delightful, certainly, and 
both parties were glad it was not to be a final 
farewell. Sir Charles went into London with 
them, and wished matters were so that he could 
escort them through Scotland. When they 
came to England again, they must remember 
his house would be open to them. 

‘‘ I shall carry away a most charming im- 
pression of English hospitality,” declared 
Helen. 

Yet it was pleasant to be in their own rooms 
again, and gather up a few more letters. There 
was one from Mrs. Foxcroft. The girls had 
arranged their lawn party for Wednesday 
afternoon. Two of their cousins were going 
to Wales for the summer, and they wanted 
to meet the American schoolmates, so the mat- 
ter had been hurried up. They certainly must 
not disappoint Edith and Janet. 

Then we must be ready to start on Thurs- 
day morning sharp,” declared Mrs. Aldred. 

“ We will not listen to another blandishment 
of these charming Islanders, even if they 
offer us a presentation to the Queen,” said 
Helen. 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 8l 

“ But wouldn’t you like it ? ” inquired Miss 
Orton? ‘‘ I’d give up all the rest of the jour- 
ney for that.” 

“ I should feel frightened to death,” de- 
clared Elma. “ I should not know how to 
manage a train, or make the Court courtesy, 
or back out with grace — and what else ? ” 

You have to be trained,” said Mrs. Aldred. 
“ It takes time and a good deal of money, and 
unless you have friends who are in the swim, 
as we say, and can have an interview with the 
ambassador, it can hardly be engineered. We 
may see royalty, sometime, out in the carriage. 
Queen Alexandra is often being driven about.” 

“ But we can never see Queen Victoria.” 

“ Well, we must answer about the lawn 
party at once. Then we will go out shopping, 
and see some of the sights.” 

“ It’s a garden party,” said Elma. 

I think it will be about the same as ours 
at home on the lawn. There is the beautiful 
turf, the trees, beds of flowers, and it isn’t 
walled in. There is next door on each side. 
It will always be a beautiful place to me, Mrs. 
Aldred, another home.” 


82 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Wilma’s cheeks were glowing and her eyes 
softly bright with depth of feeling. 

“ Thank you, my dear.” Mrs. Aldred bent 
and kissed her. 

They started out. Yes, there was Regent 
Street — with some of the best shops, the guide- 
book said. Begun almost a hundred years ago 
to connect the residence of the Prince Regent 
with Regent’s Park. Yes, it was splendid. 
Elegant vehicles lined the sidewalk, and grand 
ladies sat within them. And there were the 
beautiful buildings of storied memory, the 
churches, the statues, and fountains. 

We cannot afford to do our frugal shop- 
ping here,” said Juliet to the girls. “ We do 
not want very much, after all. And we must 
not load ourselves up with useless things to pay 
duty on at the other side. And there will be 
Paris.” 

Then they went over to Oxford Street, where 
the traffic and activity seemed enough to craze 
one. Splendid shops here, as well, and many 
aristocratic residences. Then they went out 
to the old Roman road to St. Albans. Then, 
in Harrow road, they found the fine park that 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 83 

had been St. Mary’s Churchyard, where Mrs. 
Sarah Siddons was buried. There were nota- 
ble houses all about, where notable people had 
lived and died. 

‘‘ I wonder what New York will be a hun- 
dred years from now,” said Helen. “Just a 
mart for traffic. Even now few remember 
where the famous people of the early century 
lived. The houses are hustled out to make 
room for business and offices; there is no 
sacredness about anything of the past, no hand- 
some monuments will be erected. I like the 
association with the past.” 

“ But our great city is just a long, narrow 
strip, and the wharves and docks are pre- 
cious. London can stretch out in every 
direction. 

“ And look at our beautiful Bronx ! Miser- 
able rows of apartment houses,^ whose crown- 
ing virtue is that they will fall down by and 
by. We are too fond of moving on, of the 
incessant change,” and Helen’s tone was almost 
indignant. 

They found a pleasant, retired place, where 
they could rest and order refreshments, for 


84 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

now they realized they were very tired. And 
then it was best to go home. 

“ Letters are the perplexity of a journey 
abroad,” declared Helen in a half resentful 
tone. 

“ But you have so many friends.” 

‘‘ And one who says, ‘ You need not answer, 
but save the most splendid things until you 
come back.’ And he sends lots of really 
charming home gossip.” 

Oh, it is he! ” Miss Orton gave a rather 
impertinent emphasis. 

“ One of my most delightful scholars,” re- 
turned Miss Grant. 

“ Mother wants me to write her everything. 
And she will be so disappointed if we don’t see 
the Queen,” was the girl’s rejoinder. 

Helen took her letters to her room. Of 
course Gordon’s were love letters. And there 
were so many things to distract her mind, call- 
ing up odd bits of half forgotten history — 
she had always been so interested in England. 
Then the talks with Juliet, Mrs. Aldred, and 
the pleasant enthusiasm of the twins, who were 
enjoying everything so much. She did not 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 85 

altogether like Miss Orton, though she was, 
perhaps, up to the average. 

She smiled over Gordon’s plaint. “ Tell me 
everything,” he said with a young lover’s eager- 
ness. There was but one thing the word com- 
prehended to him. And she was too tired to 
dissect her own feelings. They were mixed 
up with many other emotions. She had come 
abroad to see, to enjoy to the uttermost, to rest 
up between times. Traveling in such a rich 
country took most of one’s present interest. 
She liked to lie on the side of her bed and 
talk matters over with Juliet — matters which 
were largely Juliet’s experiences and plans: the 
fine people she was becoming affiliated with in 
New York; the Bells and their happiness — they 
had two babies now, and the verses were mostly 
about them. 

‘‘But she does enjoy her motherhood; 
though, for that matter, she enjoys everything 
with such zest. Then I think of those lovely 
poems Mrs. Gartney wrote, that came from 
imagination merely. Do you suppose she was 
capable of truly loving a man like Mr. Gartney? 
But his life was so brief afterward that he had 


86 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

not come to any sense of loss. Oh, I do hope 
he knows the little girls are happy.” 

It used to flash across Helen’s mind, what 
a lovely wife Juliet would have made for him. 

There were two more days of sight-seeing, 
then Wednesday they decided to stay in-doors 
and arrange their Scottish tour. The girls 
were eager for the garden party, and absorbed 
in adornment. 

I really feel as if we were too much of a 
crowd to descend upon Mrs. Foxcroft,” said 
Helen. ‘‘ I am the only one who can be left 
out ” 

And you are not going to be,” returned 
Mrs. Aldred. “ We grown people will not be 
asked to help entertain. It is really a school- 
girl’s affair; and you will like to see how 
English girls manage, who are not considered 
in society. Furthermore, I want you to meet 
Mr. Foxcroft.” 

‘‘ Of course it would be most impolite to de- 
cline.” 

The garden looked really lovely. Festoons of 
crepe paper were stretched from point to point, 
and Japanese lanterns were hung here and 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 87 

there, to be lighted when evening shades began 
to appear. Mrs. Foxcroft and her daughters 
received the guests with charming cordiality. 
Then the younger members retired to the gar- 
den, where there were small tables with games 
and puzzles, and the girls began to come, in 
pretty gala attire characterized by simplicity. 
Miss Orton did look rather overdressed. 

Brothers, and some cousins of the girls ac- 
companied them, others would come later 
on. They were soon merry enough, and 
now Miss Orton showed her most agreeable 
side. 

The elders were on the wide porch. They 
talked of what they had seen, of their visit to 
the Grange, and Sir Charles. Yes, they had 
heard of Mr. Archibald Waring. He was one 
of the liberal members, and carried weight with 
his party. 

They are delightful people,” remarked 
Helen. I did expect lines would be rather 
more distinctly drawn. Oh, you don't know 
how much I shall make, when I reach home, 
of having visited titled people.” 

“ Your father’s name and work would give 


88 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

you entrance to many distinguished people. I 
was afraid of this sort of caste when I was 
first married, but I found, after a little, that 
it was a very good thing, and saved much heart- 
burning. There are many delightful friends 
in your own walk in life, there are pushing, 
uneasy ones here as well as over there, only I 
honestly think money doesn’t count for so 
much. And at home — do the next lower round 
go in with what is called the four hundred? 
Sometimes, at fairs for charity, a Princess 
comes down and is most affable, but we do not 
dream of being invited to the palace. There 
are so many things; concerts where you hear 
the finest singers, picture galleries, lectures. 
We see many famous people. My husband’s 
father bought this place. My husband took 
the business, and paid his two sisters for their 
share of the house. Both are nicely married; 
one to a farmer, the other to a physician. The 
house had been changed somewhat and beauti- 
fied. It is pleasant enough for us to spend our 
lives here, and when we want a change, to 
take a journey. If we were in America, we 
might have sold and gone to some pretentious 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 89 

new place. Mr. Foxcroft might have entered 
into new schemes, and I might have struggled 
into the circle of the pushing ones. Would we 
have been any better or happier? We might 
have come to grief. Truly, I think I like this 
better. My ambition for my daughters is that 
they shall marry worthy men in their own walk 
in life. We have a very dear friend, whose 
father made a fortune and married his daugh- 
ter to a title. Most of her money has been 
spent to redeem the ancestral home from ruin. 
She is neglected, lives alone with her two chil- 
dren and a half imbecile mother-in-law, while 
he spends most of his time in London. Do 
you suppose I would change places with her 
for the title ? ” and the hostess's eyes gave a 
positive denial. 

Mr. Foxcroft joined the little circle. Helen 
was much pleased with him. He was quite 
a superior man, she thought, well-read and 
seeming to be informed on what was trans- 
piring outside of his own country. He was 
taking a warm interest, too, in the present 
Parliament, where the Irish question was caus- 
ing much anxiety. 


90 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Mrs. Foxcroft went out to look after her 
girls. The lanterns had been lighted, two serv- 
ing women were arranging the small tables 
with refreshments. There was a good deal of 
laughter and chaff. Miss Orton was really 
trying her best, and was full of a sort of bright 
wit. All was going on nicely. The girls from 
Miss Bradshaw’s Seminary found their mates 
had not distanced them so much; the young 
fellows had worn off their shyness and were 
having '^an enjoyable time. 

The elders had dinner and then joined the 
party. Mr. Foxcroft seemed warmly wel- 
comed. Helen thought it a pretty picture, they 
were all so merry, talking, laughing over bright 
sayings, quoting odd lines of verses. 

“ I’m so sorry you are leaving us so soon,” 
said one of the girls to Helen. '‘We are 
going to have a picnic over to Gilston Downs 
on Saturday. There is a tennis court, and we 
shall play, and a stone fireplace where you can 
cook things, and swings and hammocks. Oh, 
can’t you stay? The Gartney twins are so 
nice.” 

“ I am afraid not,” answered Helen. " You 


WAYS OF PLEASURE 9I 

see, we are tourists and have only so much 
time.” 

“ Well, Fm glad you are not going to take 
Edith and Janet back. We’ve missed them so 
much. We always have such a good time over 
here.” 

Mrs. Foxcroft said, Oh, we will see you 
before you go back. I am so glad to have 
met your party, Mrs. Aldred,” and the gentle- 
man advised Helen to go to the House of Com- 
mons at least once before their return. 

The Gartneys were much delighted, and 
begged Aunt Jue to give them a lawn party 
when they reached home. 

But we don’t know many to ask,” said 
Wilma. “ The schoolgirls are scattered around 
so. And now we will have to hunt up some 
girls at Kingsland.” 

'' It wasn’t much of a party,” declared Miss 
Orton. There wasn’t anything but that 
stupid march around the walks. I think they 
might have had some regular dancing in that 
cleared space. I’d rather have a ball. Some 
of those English boys have to learn to dance. 

‘‘ Young people — schoolgirls — never have 


92 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

anything but birthday parties, Janet told me, 
and, after awhile, a ball. I have an aunt in 
Albany, and I mean to go there next winter. 
I shan’t stay home and be stupid. I want lots 
of beaus.” 

‘‘ I am afraid Miss Orton’s tour will not do 
her much good, only just to say she has been 
abroad. I really did not care to take her, but 
her mother insisted; and she begged so. She 
has very little interest in places, and I think 
she hoped that we would get into some kind 
of society. As if one could, in journeying 
about! Half the girls of eighteen might bet- 
ter wait until they are eight-and-twenty,” de- 
clared Mrs. Aldred with spirit. 


CHAPTER V 

SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS 

It seemed to Helen that the journey through 
Scotland was like a moving panorama. It 
was a long time before she could settle it all — 
the beautiful places full of romance, chivalry, 
love, and death; the wonderful towns; the 
churches, monuments, rivers, and lakes — co- 
herently in her mind, unless she studied the 
guide-book. 

In the early stages they met an American 
clergyman, who was taking extensive notes, 
with the aid of his wife, looking forward to 
adding to the already numberless books of 
travel. Helen found him very lame on his- 
torical points, and he was quite delighted with 
her freshness. 

‘‘ You must have a very systematic memory,’^ 
he said. 


93 


94 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ Due to college training, I think,” with a 
short laugh. 

“ I have always been sorry that I did not 
go,” said Mrs. Lorton. “ Bu't twenty years 
ago it was not considered so necessary, and 
then I married.” 

They must have been past their first youth, 
Helen thought. 

They lingered about Holyrood Palace, and 
exhumed the old stories of the beautiful and ill- 
fated Queen Mary. Mr. Lorton took the con- 
demnatory side. I could have forgiven her 
many things, but her eloping with Black Both- 
well stamped her criminality.” 

“ I like to think of her girl-life in France. 
And Elizabeth made all the after years a trag- 
edy. It was right for her to marry, but it 
was an unwise choice, and it must have em- 
bittered the Queen’s later years, to think that 
Mary’s son would come after her. I suppose 
there will always be warm sympathizers and 
as heated detractors.” 

There were the famous cities, and the writers 
who had lent the glory of their enchantment. 
The twins went over the “ Lady of the Lake ” 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS 95 

and quoted it daily. There were the beauti- 
ful lakes and rivers, with their legends. 

“ But our time is up and we must say fare- 
well,” declared Mrs. Aldred. “ You have not 
half done London yet.” 

“ Oh, dear ! Suppose I stay and never re- 
turn to America?” suggested Helen. ‘'I am 
so in love with everything.” 

Juliet studied her. Sometimes she won- 
dered how much she was in love with Gordon 
Danforth. 

And I shall lose in Mr. Underwood's esti- 
mation,” she continued in a comically serious 
tone. ‘‘ I don’t know how tourists can be 
satisfied with one visit ! ” 

“ Tourists may. Travelers cannot.” 

A nice distinction. I shall pray for a for- 
tune, that I may enroll myself among the 
travelers.” 

And so they bade adieu to the fascinating 
scenes, and it seemed quite like home to get 
back to their quiet, comfortable rooms. To 
Helen, it appeared like a splendid dream, and 
was a vision put away to be saved to think 
over in some leisure time. For was not the 


96 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

brain like a picture gallery? And there must 
be new compartments added to it, new treasures 
stored away. 

There are so many things yet to do and 
to see. Wasn’t it Dr. Johnson who said there 
was ‘ more learning and science within a cir- 
cumference of ten miles from where we sit 
than in all the rest of the Kingdom ’ ? What 
would he say now?” remarked Juliet. 

‘‘ That there were more towns and villages 
in London than in any other place in the world. 
Isn’t Mother Shipton’s prophecy come true that 
Highgate Hill will one day be the center of 
the city?” laughed Helen. ‘‘We must go to 
the market at Covent Garden and to some other 
gardens. What a mercy you can ride in every 
direction ! ” 

“ I want to see some of the Children’s Homes 
and hospitals,” said Juliet. “ How many thou- 
sands there must be needing care! But the 
girls will not be interested in these matters. 
We might leave them at the waxworks.” 

“ One of the most splendid hospitals is built 
on the site of the old Marshalsea,” commented 
Mrs. Aldred. 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS 97 

‘‘ Oh, I want to see that,” cried Helen 
eagerly. One of the most pathetic things is 
the Dorrits’ going out after their fortune came. 
The vain and selfish Fanny, the fashion and 
elegance of Tip, the pretensions of Pa; and 
Little Dorrit, who had worked and struggled, 
being quite forgotten until the family were in 
the carriage and the attendant shutting up the 
steps. And Mr. Clenham finding her in a dead 
faint on the floor, and bringing her down in his 
arms; and Fanny thinking only of the old 
frock she had on, her prison frock that she 
meant to wear until the last moment. What 
a picture it makes ! ” 

Oh, we must read it,” said Elma. “ We 
haven't gone as far as that in Dickens. And 
we must find some more of the places he wrote 
about. I think I’ll go with you. Aunt Jue.” 

“ I don’t like hospitals or sickness,” de- 
clared Miss Orton. “ Won’t you take the 
waxworks with me ? ” glancing at Wilma. 

‘‘ Why — yes,” rather reluctantly. 

The maid could attend them there. Miss 
Craven was so interested in children’s refuges 
in what she felt was her own city, that she was 


98 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

anxious to learn the methods of other coun- 
tries. She thought of the swarms of pallid, 
hungry-eyed children on the East Side, who 
had no playground but the gutter. 

The building was beautiful in itself. Many 
curious things and interesting pictures had been 
donated to it. And it was so clean and 
orderly; the uniformed nurses had such sweet 
faces, she thought. Most of them were com- 
paratively young. And the little white cots, 
with their inmates who could not do much 
toward helping themselves, but had come to 
have the look of heavenly patience and resigna- 
tion. They did not see the extreme sufferers, 
who were by themselves. 

“ I want to spend the whole day,” said Miss 
Craven, as she turned away reluctantly. 

‘‘ The days are too short,” appended Helen. 

And when they reached home there were 
notes and cards. Sir Charles Waring had 
been in. Lady Waring had accepted her 
cousin’s invitation to spend a week with her, 
and they wanted to renew their acquaintance 
with Mrs. Aldred’s party. Miss Waring 
would call on them the next morning. 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS 99 

Oh, that’s just splendid ! ” cried the girls. 

There were some tickets from the Foxcrofts 
for a concert that evening, and, if they had no 
scruples, a matinee for the next afternoon. 

“ Surely the fates are generous,” said Helen 
laughingly. 

The concert was not over their heads, fortu- 
nately. There were some fine Scotch songs, 
some amusing Irish ones, and they felt very 
well entertained. Mrs. Aldred expressed her 
obligations. 

‘‘ It is a charity affair, and Mr. Foxcroft 
was apprehensive that we would not have a 
very large audience. It is for the homes of 
our old people. They are just little cottages 
of two rooms and an attic, and a little garden 
plot. When the men are old or disabled, and 
have wives, they are eligible — or perhaps an 
elderly daughter. But we had a very good 
audience. They want to build two more cot- 
tages. You must come and look at them be- 
fore you go home.” 

‘‘ Why, we shall be glad to,” returned Juliet. 

‘‘ I suppose there is a greater need of charity 
in an old country,” said Mrs. Aldred, “ but you 


lOO HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

people have modes of beneficence that quite put 
us to shame. It is nice for the old women to 
do their simple housekeeping, a continual in- 
terest.” 

The matinee was quite a girls’ party. Two 
mothers were to chaperon them. 

Sir Charles and his daughter came in, the 
next morning, and had some plans. They 
called on Lady Waring, and found the cousin’s 
wife a most agreeable woman in the early 
thirties, very much interested in her husband’s 
speech, which was to come the following week. 
Of the notable places, there were Westminster 
Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Then 
Dublin, Paris, and home. 

They all went to Westminster and were awed 
by the plain, reverent service, the vastness and 
grandeur of the buildings, and the pilgrimage 
afterward amid the memorials of heroes, great 
men, and poets who have been given a lasting 
remembrance by their country. There was 
much to awaken the sincerest veneration. 
Helen and Juliet were touched by the atmo- 
sphere of consecration. At the House of Par- 
liament, Mr. Waring invited them to tea on 



^Ik. 'Waring invited them to tea on the terrace.— P agre i6»6> 





'Tt t ^ T .r t’, : .1'- ’> 

'.’' *», * ,* gi*" - - » «# ^ * »^ 


• .vU-.- ■ 

j#— r . 

•i . '■ . ‘ • . ■ 


' *• V .’ . 




4 


► 


.•L 



, v^, ■'., ^ ' ■ S'" 



I 


9 .t 

to 

• • 


;• TSTci'-Vt? 

V,t^. .V JW 

. • A' ♦ ' j ^ * 

/>' • ^ 


. * 


T» 

4 « 


■' 1 


1 


I 


t-iVr 




• I' • 


r . 







’ ■'>5 




f «*^_* ^ ^ * 










SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS 


lOI 


the Terrace, the ambition of many tourists and 
the envy of those who have no Parliamentary 
friend. It was all very impressive. The long, 
darkish entrance with its turns, the austere 
policemen taking one’s card; then another pas- 
sageway, a long hall, and the interior of the 
Houses of Parliament opens upon the visitor. 
Sir Charles and Mr. Archibald convoyed them 
to the Ladies’ Gallery, that gave them a view 
of the speakers. Then, through another pas- 
sageway, there was a glimpse of the House 
of Lords, with some of the venerable members 
in their places. There was nothing exciting 
going on and the droning voice was quite in- 
distinct. But the House of Commons was 
more interesting, Helen thought. There were 
many fine, strong faces. Mr. Waring pointed 
out some of the notable men that she had heard 
about and was glad to see. 

Then another walk through a rather gloomy 
passage, and one came out to the beautiful 
Terrace along the river. Up and down the 
river much of interest was to be seen ; the two 
towers, the splendid Victoria Tower, the spires 
that caught and reflected the changes in the 


102 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

sky, the Clock Tower with Big Ben. It was 
true, Helen thought, that all these points had 
to be seen to be appreciated. 

They were joined by several friends of both 
men. Sir Charles was certainly very well 
known. The ramble about the Terrace was 
most delightful, then the gentlemen found them 
seats. Attendants were bringing cups of tea 
or coflfee and hot buttered muffins, and the chat 
was full of amusement as well as interest. Of 
course the party graciously admitted they had 
not seen half. ‘‘ But I don’t know that we 
could contain any more,” Helen said. It will 
take me at least ten years to get my mind and 
memory adjusted to the right focus. I shall 
be putting things in the wrong streets, and 
giving them names they never dreamed of.” 

“ Are any of you women writing a book ? ” 
inquired one of the guests, with a twinkle in 
his eye. “ Isn’t it customary ? ” 

Because the men do it when they come 
over to us?” asked Helen mirthfully. '' No, 
we are just plain people.” 

‘‘ One of your men wrote a book about a 
traveler who had returned home fairly burst- 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS IO3 

ing with everything he had seen — and perhaps 
read. When he met a friend who had been 
abroad, a conversation like this ensued : * Did 

you go to such a town and see a wonderful 
picture — or building?’ ‘No, I didn’t really 
have time.’ ‘ Then you might as well have 
stayed at home.’ And the friend would launch 
out into what he had seen. It seemed so, all 
the time, and the poor fellow was so tired of 
having no opportunity to unburden himself, 
that in despair he advertised for some one to 
come and listen to him while he talked, two 
hours every evening.” 

“And did any one come?” inquired Sir 
Charles. 

“ I believe so.” The narrator glanced 
around as if asking some one’s assistance. 

“ Yes, he came,” interposed Helen. “ It is 
Stockton’s story, and they found it so interest- 
ing that they made a book out of all pertaining 
to it.” 

“ We begin to know all countries so well 
now that you can hardly mention a place in 
Africa or anywhere else but some one has been 
there. Even the Great Sandy Desert no longer 


104 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

has terrors. There is nothing left — not even the 
North Pole. Ladies, here are some more 
muffins. We may never meet in this way 
again.” 

They were delightful, Helen thought, and 
the coffee was nectar. She liked the men’s 
talk, too, though the young girls were not in 
it, to Miss Orton’s chagrin. The three elders 
were to dine with Mrs. Archibald Waring and 
the cousins and Frank had gone to Oxford, 
where his brother was in training for a rowing 
match. So the pleasant party was broken up, 
but two of the men, besides Sir Charles, were 
to be dinner guests. 

Miss Orton declared that most men you met 
were stupid. And if she didn’t see the Queen 
anywhere she might as well have stayed at 
home. And she would like to see at least one 
grand old English home with all the portraits 
and hundreds-of-years-old curiosities. 

The house in Portman Square might have 
appeased her. It and the furniture were un- 
deniably old, and there were copies of some 
famous pictures. The hostess was very charm- 
ing. Helen thought her beautiful in her din- 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS IO5 

ner gown. Why wasn’t she “ Lady Waring ” 
as well? 

The talk was very entertaining. The ques- 
tion of woman’s suffrage was looming up, 
though it had not reached its climax. It 
seemed not to have many advocates. 

I dropped into Arley House Sunday after- 
noon. They’re not suffragists actually, nor 
quite Socialists; there are so many beliefs, I 
don’t think the women themselves know what 
they believe. It is some sort of a woman’s 
club. And there was a very good speaker; a 
fine woman, perhaps a little past middle age, 
that interested me very much. She is down 
for a regular speech next Sunday, and I want 
to hear her. Not that I am on the suffrage 
side,” laughing. “ A Miss Trevor. She’s 
been spoken of quite often.” 

“Miss Marian Trevor?” asked Helen in a 
breath. 

“ Yes. Do you know her ? ” 

“ I was in college with her niece. Doesn’t 
she believe education to be the grand panacea ? ” 

Helen smiled, recalling Grace Trevor’s ex- 


perience. 


I06 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

** In a 'way it is — the right sort of education. 
But what are you going to do with girls of 
twelve who must go to work in shops and 
factories to keep from starving, and marry or 
do worse at eighteen? So you are a college 
girl?” giving Helen a half smile. 

Yes. So far it has been useful to me,” 
she returned briefly. 

‘‘ I have nothing to say against it. But as 
matters stand, with all the advances we have 
not enough to go round.” 

Then they veered round to Socialism; to 
some of the land questions that were making 
themselves heard. Socialism was developing 
with rapid strides in the States, Mr. Waring 
had heard. 

“ I am afraid I am not much of a politician,” 
Helen said with a smile. 

Then the ladies had a little general talk 
until they left the table. Mrs. Archibald War- 
ing spoke of several fine debates she had heard, 
and of notable legislators. Helen was much 
interested. She thought Lady Waring a most 
intelligent woman. But there was such a wide 
life in London. 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS IO7 

Later in the evening, Helen was in Mr. 
Acherson’s vicinity again. 

“ Will you please tell me about this Hall — 
or Arley House, I think you called it.’’ 

‘‘ Yes; Mrs. Arley is a rich woman and has 
opened her house to all kinds of debates about 
women, the ‘ enfranchisement of women,’ I 
think they call it. Men and women go, and 
if they have anything to say, say it, so long 
as there is no disputing. Some of the women 
are good talkers; they really are our helpmeets 
in politics, and stand up bravely for us. But 

the seething mass ” 

Can any one go ? ” 

“ Oh, yes. You know people don’t want to, 
unless they are really interested. It’s some- 
how broader than mere suffrage. Now, if you 
and your friend would like to go, I should be 
very happy to escort you.” 

“ Oh, thank you. I should so like to see 
Miss Trevor.” 

“ Give me your address, please. At three 
or thereabouts.” 

Juliet said she shouldn’t care to go. She 
would rather visit some of the churches. 


I08 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

But Mrs. Aldred accepted the invitation 
readily. 

They were all surprised and delighted the 
next day, when they came suddenly upon an 
imposing cortege. In the first carriage of state 
were the beautiful Queen Alexandra and the 
Princess Maud; in the next, the Princess of 
Wales with her pretty daughter and young 
son. 

Miss Orton was delighted beyond measure 
and was in the best of spirits. Then Frank 
Waring called and Helen generously effaced 
herself, rather to his chagrin. 

Mr. Acherson called at the time appointed. 
It was some distance, but a rather inviting- 
looking house with a wide lawn and roomy 
porch. Instead of a hallway there were some 
columns halfway down, which made the front 
all one large room. Mrs. Arley stood here, a 
tall, imposing woman, with snowy white hair 
and dark eyes; an earnest face, but withal 
rather attractive. She bowed to the guests, 
spoke to some, and waved them to the seats on 
either side. 

The meeting opened with music, then a man 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS lOQ 

made a rather brief address. There followed 
two labor songs, a few questions were asked 
and answered, and Miss Trevor was an- 
nounced. The audience was made up largely 
of the working population of the better class, 
one might say, — some very neatly attired, — 
and an outside ring of factory girls. 

Miss Trevor was fine and vigorous-looking, 
with a trained voice that seemed to carry 
weight and conviction. It was no effort for 
her to speak, though at first Helen thought it 
must be over the heads of most of her audi- 
ence. She was not surprised to find that the 
panacea was education. 

What opportunity do most of you have 
for it ? There are night schools, there are lec- 
tures on cooking and housekeeping. What 
does the woman who comes from the well-kept 
house with her maid know of her who leaves 
shotp or factory, aching in every limb, to go to 
her two dismal rooms where everything is 
dirt and disorder — where the stove is old, the 
chimney smoky, her cooking utensils burned 
at the bottom ? But she dumps in her potatoes 
and onions, carrots, maybe a little stale parsley. 


no HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

and a wilted turnip — the best she can get for 
her money — and while it is stewing, calls in 
her children from the street, washes off the 
worst of the grime, cuts off knots of tousled 
hair that no comb can go through, settles quar- 
rels, administers slaps, sets her table — and then 
enters the lord and master, who has spent an 
hour at the public, drinking beer and 
haranguing his compeers on work and wages. 
They all know so much about the state of the 
country! they are so capable of making laws 
for men and women ! are so wise about 
women’s duties! He beats a child for some 
trifle, grumbles about the food that he has not 
half earned. She takes it meekly. ‘ If she 
fed him properly he would not haunt the pub- 
lic,’ he flings at her; ‘it is her fault he is 
boozy half the time.’ If she dared resent, she 
would, in all probability, get a blow. She is 
sober herself, and has learned by experience. 
Then he lights his pipe and goes out. The chil- 
dren, cross and sleepy, are huddled into bed. 
She makes a little clearing, thinking of the 
scant time there is in the morning. What is 
evening school, what are classes to her? Be- 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS 


III 


tween them both, they manage to earn enough 
not to starve. Sometimes an old woman comes 
and looks after the children, oftener they are 
being educated by the street gamins. Is it 
any wonder they turn out thieves and criminals 
and add to the expense of the country? They 
are not even fit for soldiers, statistics show; 
they have no strength, no stamina. But the 
sons, at twenty, marry and go on reproducing 
their kind. 

Yet you women, you girls, have it all in 
your own hands. Why do you marry these 
men? You have seen your mothers’ lives, 
your neighbors’ lives! Can you believe yours 
will be any better ? Can you call that maudlin 
thing, half beer, ‘Love’? You can do for 
yourself. You can earn a comparatively 
wholesome living for yourself. What is a 
few months’ sojourn in a fool’s paradise to 
lifelong degradation; to work, hunger, blows? 
And you do know it. Why can’t you women 
make homes, you who are sober and clean- 
hearted, and like a clean home to come to? 
There have been instances of women caring 
for each other. Keep these brute beasts at 


1 12 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

bay until they have learned their lesson, that 
you •are not to be had for slaves, that love and 
home are something better and higher than they 
can offer, that you were not made by Almighty 
God to bring into the world a race of stunted, 
half-deformed, idiotic, starved children. Oh! 
how can you do it? Will any Woman’s 
Movement help you, while you persist in this 
course ? ” 

Miss Trevor did not rant. Her voice was 
forceful and under excellent control, and Helen 
listened with intense interest to her further 
talk. It was to strengthen women to believe 
more in themselves, to use their latent faculties, 
to educate themselves to the true purposes of 
life, advancement. Then, when they found 
standing-room, they could dictate. When they 
no longer looked up to men as demigods who 
had a right to soul and body, they would meet 
on equal terms; not be masters on the one hand, 
slaves on the other. There were a few other 
short speeches, mostly veering to suffrage. 
Then by common consent, without any dismis- 
sal, people rose, and there was a stir — a con- 
fusion of low talking. A group hovered about 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS II3 

Miss Trevor, others surged toward the tea- 
tables. 

Do you want to speak to her ? ” asked Mrs. 
Aldred. 

“ Oh, I don’t mind. It isn’t as if I really 
knew her. And there are so many waiting 
for her.” 

“ She is a fine speaker. She said some very 
true things.” 

‘‘ Well? ” Juliet looked up with a smile as 
they entered. “ Have you been converted to 
— what is really the gist of it all ? ” 

I wish you could have heard her. It was a 
very attentive, well-behaved audience — not 
much of a suffrage meeting.” 

“ No — I see by the paper that Mr. Fox- 
croft brought in — ^he came and took the girls 
out for a drive — ^that the suffragists really 
do not own her. What then? Is she a 
Socialist? ” 

“ I do not think that, either. The house is 
large and inviting, with well-kept grounds.” 
Helen smiled a little. She is opposed to 
youthful marriages, to marriages of the poor 
— ^well, things are different in England. And 


1 14 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

she is full of pity for the swarms of children 
that have no right to be here. She showed 
how little the men really regarded marriage 
when they went away and left their wives and 
children." 

Juliet sighed. ‘‘ I should like to have heard 
that part. We have so much of it at home. 
Yes, if marriage could be made a more re- 
sponsible thing ! And these men who go 
off, find work in another town, and marry 
again. How can girls, women, believe that 
is love ? " 

“ She wants the girls to club together and 
make homes for themselves, to study, to im- 
prove, to let the men severely alone. It is the 
woman that makes the home, after all. She 
ought to know you, Juliet." 

“ But working women, girls, can’t very well 
make a home," and Juliet smiled proudly. 

‘‘Why not, if they joined together? If 
there were enough, one might keep the house. 
There is so much beer-drinking over here, and 
often the wives work in factories. Oh, I don’t 
believe you ever can quite right the world ! ’’ 
Helen exclaimed, with a half smile. “ But I 


SOCIAL STATICS AND DYNAMICS II5 

can’t imagine Grace Trevor ever making the 
kind of woman that would satisfy her aunt. 
And she is delightfully happy with her hus- 
band and two children. Her sister also has 
a home of her own. They are girls just fitted 
for home life. Then this Miss Trevor has 
made a money success of her life, as well.” 

Helen recalled the proudly poised, confident, 
well-kept woman. Could all women attain to 
that? No, they could not. But, as she had 
said, although having more opportunities than 
women, not all men succeeded. And that 
women were not as necessary to men as they 
imagined they were. Something stirred within 
Helen. Mrs. Yarrow’s upbraiding came back 
to her. What if she could fill some more nota- 
ble position? It was “the era of woman,” 
everybody was saying. She had never thought 
much about the great trend that was stirring 
the world; the new spirit that had been strug- 
gling through the dark, through ignorance, and 
that came from a higher source than a man’s 
temporary worship. 

Had she been caught in the enchanted whirl ? 
Why, she could do something with her own 


Il6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

life. If proffers had come to her already, 
might not others be on their way? But her 
marriage was not an immediate thing. There 
was much to be done before that. 


CHAPTER VI 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK 

Sir Charles came for the ladies. The girls 
were going to Mrs. Foxcroft’s. They had 
viewed the House of Lords and the House of 
Commons, and a country drive would be bet- 
ter than a talk on something they did not under- 
stand. Were girls so different, Helen won- 
dered. Or was it having no real responsibil- 
ity of life? Still, she had always wanted to 
do something with herself, to reach up to some 
point that she might have an influence on those 
around her, to rouse them. To be Juliet’s 
satellite would not have satisfied her, even with 
the warm, generous love her friend would have 
lavished. 

They took their way along the Terrace that 
had been so full of laughing, chatting people 
a few days ago. There was, here and there, a 
group lounging in the shade of the under roof 


Il8 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

of cloud, that held no indication of storm. 
How grand the long stretch of buildings was, 
and the river flowing peacefully along; just 
now it seemed strangely quiet. They threaded 
their way along, and he guided them to the 
Ladies’ Gallery. It was not very full, there 
was no really momentous question being dis- 
cussed, though the argument was near the heart 
of the Liberals. 

Lady Waring and her cousin had reserved 
excellent seats for them, and gave them a 
smiling welcome. Some one, an elderly man, 
was droning along, and presently took his seat, 
when Mr. Archibald Waring rose. 

Helen glanced at his wife. Yes, she must 
be proud of a man like that. He looked al- 
most soldierly as he squared his shoulders, 
holding his head in an impressive manner, and 
his voice was clear and commanding. With- 
out being dogmatic, he was strong and per- 
suasive and his thought had application to some 
of the great measures agitating the country. 
He spoke of the people and for the people. 
And though Helen understood but little of 
what was involved, she did enjoy the earnest- 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK I IQ 

ness, the force of this speaker, who kept to 
reasonable and gentlemanly lines, and felt she 
could have gone on listening — -indeed, was 
sorry when he sat down. 

The argument against his theories seemed 
pointless. She glanced around the House and 
peered at the Upper Chamber. How many 
old men there were! Some were absolutely 
dozing. Mrs. Waring pointed out several nota- 
ble ones, some of them she had seen on the 
Terrace at the tea. 

But it was getting late, so they had to leave 
the Warings with many expressions of de- 
lighted gratitude for their charming hospitality. 

“We sincerely hope we shall see you some 
time again. Miss Grant,’’ Lady Waring said, 
with a cordial pressure of the hand. “ I think 
you do Mrs. Aldred infinite credit.” 

Then back to their lodgings for a few last 
things, packing, good-bys, and with much real 
regret they began their journey across the 
Channel. 

As for Paris, that was like an exasperating 
dream, where all things seemed mixed and 
merged into a kaleidoscope. Mr. Verhoeven 


120 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

was on the spot to greet them, and had looked 
up some convenient lodgings for them. If 
their French was not quite up to the mark in 
pronunciation, it answered very well. Yes — 
it was different from London — from New 
York. A sort of glorious, unique city, with 
its palaces, its beautiful streets thronged with 
people, its gala aspect. They spent one day 
over pictures, one day shopping, one miscel- 
laneous day with everything crowded into it. 
Mr. and Mrs. Valatin were there, settled for a 
two months’ stay. Almost they persuaded 
Miss Craven and her charges to remain, but 
Juliet felt there was a great deal awaiting her 
at home. And they were all tired with the 
continuous sight-seeing. 

So it was restful to be on shipboard and 
have a few long, quiet days to talk over the 
summer’s delight, in the lingering fashion that 
brings dozens of half- forgotten things to the 
fore in radiant colors. 

Yes, it had been most delightful. Helen felt 
as if somehow she was emerging from girlhood 
into a new life. It was not the love she had 
taken with her. She had given no time to 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK 12 1 

dreams of the future with Gordon Danforth. 
Something in the very present seemed urgent. 

How would the little town look, after all 
the foreign grandeur? And the men in the 
Houses of Parliament; Archibald Waring, Sir 
Charles, even Mr. Foxcroft, with his kindly 
thought and gentlemanly ways — those she had 
come to know in the friendliest fashion. Well 
— there was Mr. Hildreth. He was there to 
meet her, as well as Gordon, who she thought 
was looking rather worn. They would all go 
to a hotel for the night, and until the luggage 
had been passed. Yes, she was very glad to 
see Gordon, who questioned her with fervent 
eyes. 

“ You thought me a poor correspondent,” 
she said. ‘‘ But there was so much to distract 
one’s thoughts, so few moments one could 
snatch from sight-seeing. And ” — a warm 
color flushed her face — I am afraid I am not 
good at love letters.” 

“ We will make it up in talk later on. Yes, 
I know there were so many of you. But I 
should have liked to make the one more. Then 
there would have been no need of letters.” 


122 HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 

** And you were at Niagara? ” 

“ Yes. My friend stays away another 
month yet. Oh, I wished for you ! 

‘‘ I have been there twice. Well, I don’t 
know as one would tire of it ” 

‘‘ The place for brides — ^and for marriages,” 
laughing. “ I meant to have a visit with 
Mr. Hildreth, but this opportunity came so 
soon. And it was too good to decline. And 
you have been very happy? ” with a half-ques- 
tioning intonation. 

Had he hoped she would say she had longed 
for him? 

‘‘ Why, one has hardly time to think. It is 
all so new and strange. Mrs. Aldred had some 
charming friends. Oh, yes, the days were full 
of pleasant things all the time. In a way 
that was happiness. I do enjoy everything in- 
tensely.” 

Gordon was to take the night train back, 
having an engagement at ten the next morning. 
So he had only a brief while with Helen, and 
murmured a regretful adieu. 

“ Perhaps I will be down — next week,” at 
a venture. 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK I23 

“ Oh, no, please. We waited until the last 
moment, you see, and school begins on Mon- 
day. So next week I shall want every mo- 
ment, every bit of energy, every thought. No, 
wait.’’ 

She raised her eyes frankly, and he felt he 
must have some consideration for her, outside 
of impatient love. 

Well, good-night, my love, my love! Oh, 
suppose you had never come back! I used to 
think ” 

‘‘ Almost everybody comes back. You went, 
and returned,” with a half-amused smile. 

“ Yes.” Well, she was brave and sweet. 

She re-entered the room, with his kiss warm 
upon her lips, and a color that made her almost 
angry. Then she went straight over to Mr. 
Hildreth, who had been conversing with Juliet. 

‘‘ I have been alone all summer,” he said. 
‘‘ I meant that Gordon should spend most of 
the summer with me. He was really tired 
out with his last year’s college work. Yet it 
has been restful, there at Niagara. I was up 
for a week. He was living in the rectory, 
with an excellent housekeeper. He sent for 


124 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

his parents; it was almost like a wedding jour- 
ney to them. His family are all doing well.” 

“ And— Westfield?” 

‘‘ Oh, you will hardly know us. There has 
been a great boom. Two new factories, a 
branch of a big watch-making concern, rows 
of cottages, some new streets. Helen, I think 
you have been a sort of mascot.” 

“ Or the beautiful school, and your perse- 
verance and energy?” 

“ And the business part goes down town, 
for which I am glad. I like the quaintness 
of the North Side — we will have to call it 
that. There is not much room for improve- 
ments with us unless we stretch on further, and 
cut down our lovely woods. Of course the 
river is too narrow for business purposes as 
you go on up, and we must give thanks for 
that,” smiling. 

And — everybody ? Oh, now I am so 
anxious. I have heard from several.” 

Dick Eastman is not very robust yet. I 
hope it will be nothing serious — ^the doctors are 
sure his back is all right, but there are bad 
headaches. You must see that he does not 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK 12 $ 

Study too hard. He and his father went to 
Maine for a fortnight. And Miss Ford is to 
be married. One or two others also, I think ” 
— drawing his brows a little. 

“ Miss Winters, I hope.” 

“ I have not heard that. But your friend 
Lilian has a position. They have been very 
busy registering scholars.” 

“ That is nice for Lilian, although she has no 
real need, as her aunt has grown very fond of 
her.” 

“ There, haven’t I shaken my bag of news 
pretty well? And you must be tired enough 
to go to bed.” 

They all were, so they dispersed. But it was 
a long while before Helen slept. Had she in- 
deed stretched a chain across her life, with a 
“ Thus far ” ? Was ambition to be barred 
out? 

They separated the next day, Mrs. Aldred 
saying that Helen had added greatly to her 
summer’s happiness; that she had developed 
into the kind of girl she had looked forward 
to her making, and that she hoped they would 
find time somewhere to renew old friendship 


126 HELEN GRANT^S HARVEST YEAR 

by a visit. I look to see you in some high 
place yet. I shall miss the Gartneys very 
much; they have been lovely girls and earnest 
scholars.’^ 

“And the beginning over again will be 
rather hard,” said Helen sympathetically. 

“ Yes. But I must have some family life, 
some young people. But then, I shall have 
Grace near at hand,” with a smile. 

She said good-by to Juliet and the girls, and 
went on her way with Mr. Hildreth. What 
a dear friend he was ! She told him about her 
visit to the great museum, and that they had 
not forgotten her father there. 

Mrs. Stirling was overjoyed to greet her, 
and held her to her heart, her voice trembling 
with emotion. Lilian hovered about in a curi- 
ous fashion as if she could hardly believe in 
the return. Why, it was a lovely thing to be 
welcomed so warmly. 

Mr. and Mrs. Underwood came up in the 
evening. 

“ Why, you are not changed a bit,” the lady 
said. 

“ I haven’t made the grand tour yet,” re- 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK 127 

turned Helen mirthfully. ‘‘Wait until I come 
home alive from St. Petersburg. But I have 
had a splendid time. My friend, Mrs. Aldred, 
knew some delightful people, by whom we 
were entertained most charmingly.’’ 

“And Paris ” 

“ Oh, we only had a glimpse of it. You see, 
we were so long in England.” 

“ I have a letter for you that I suppose, 
according to the strict code of honor, I should 
not have read,” began Mr. Underwood. “ But 
it was inclosed in one to me, and somehow 
left to my discretion. Read mine first. I 
don’t know whether you will pardon me for 
answering it, but having a claim on you for 
the coming year, I thought I might.” 

She read the application to Mr. Underwood, 
that he was to lay before Miss Grant, who had 
been highly spoken of as an organizer. The 
place was one of the thriving towns on the 
Hudson, and the Committee would be only too 
glad to hear from her. 

The salary mentioned in her note was very 
good, and the case was laid before her with 
some urgency. 


128 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ It is very complimentary,” she remarked, 
with a smile. 

“ You see, I couldn’t send to England and 
get an answer back, and since you couldn’t 
go, they ought to be looking up some one else. 
Your salary was raised at once to that figure, 
though I think it would have been in any 
event. Miss Grant, you are a most excellent 
worker. We shall never give you up.” 

She laughed with an emotion too deep for 
mere pleasure. 

** I have hardly drawn a comfortable breath 
lest some wonderful temptation should meet 
you in the way, like a title and a fine estate 
being offered for your acceptance,” Mr. Un- 
derwood said jestingly. 

‘‘ Oh, I am not an American heiress, you 
know, so we were not in the line of gay func- 
tions. But I had a delightful time, and have 
quite fallen in love with English people.” 

They said good-night. Lilian was away on 
a short visit. Mrs. Stirling clasped her arms 
around Helen and exclaimed with deep feel- 
ing: 

“ You don’t know how glad I am to get 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK 1 29 

you back. Oh, I wish you might stay in West- 
field always ! ” 

“ And grow into an old woman ? Maybe I 
should be queer and set in my ways,” she 
laughed. 

“ They would always be nice ways. There’s 
so much freshness about you; a new thought 
in so many things. You seem to bring out 
what is best in people. Why, Lilian is so 
different from what she was when she first 
came here. And though I didn’t really want 
her to teach, I think it may be the best 
thing for her. But I must not keep 
you up any longer. Good-night, my dear 
girl.” 

Helen was curiously moved; thrilled, too, 
with a deep emotion, that her welcome should 
be so warm. 

How dear and familiar the room looked in 
its homelike aspect, its order and cleanliness! 
Yes, she was glad to get back to it, glad of 
the quiet. She had been wondering how West- 
field would seem to her after all the grandeur, 
the busy and stately towns and cities of the 
Old World, with their beautiful and substantial 


130 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

points. But was it not the warm, true hearts 
that made a real home? 

She was tired, and soon fell asleep, and it 
was really late when she woke the next morn- 
ing, everything had been so quiet. Lilian had 
gone to spend the night with a friend, so there 
were only two at the dainty breakfast. Jane 
went in and out, and glanced at her curiously, 
as if she expected some great change in 
her. 

And you really were entertained by the 
nobility ! ” she exclaimed, with a note of sur- 
prise. 

‘‘ It wasn’t very high nobility,” and Helen 
smiled. But the afternoon on the Terrace 
I was presented to a Duke and Duchess, and 
the Duke was a small, withered-up old man, 
but the Duchess was splendid-looking, and 
not more than forty. I wondered how she 
came to marry him. And he was in the House 
of Lords. You know, that is an hereditary 
privilege. The son, again, was fine-looking, 
but said to be very fond of vaudeville actresses. 
But I liked the Waring men so much. Mr. 
Archibald is an enthusiastic worker for the 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK I3I 

betterment of the poor people and the small 
farmers.” 

Her trunk came, but before she had it un- 
packed callers began to drop in, and several 
stayed to luncheon. Lilian returned and two 
of the Henderson girls with her. 

“ I thought Fd like to go down to school,” 
she said. It seems there are a number of 
new scholars registered.” 

Some very nice people have entered,” said 
Nina Henderson. “We shall not be the only 
large family,” laughing. “ A Mr. Field is 
building a factory and has bought the old 
Colmer place, and is building an addition on 
the other side of the hall. And they have 
eight children; two almost grown-up girls, 
and a son in college. He was delighted with 
the high school, and I tell you Mr. Underwood 
didn’t let it lose anything. And he saw Larry 
in the bank. Mr. Underwood made quite a 
card of that. Mr. Field said he could not 
think of living where there were not first- 
class schools. And Daisy Field is hot to go 
to college. I like the girls. We’ve struck 
up quite a friendship. Daisy has been two 


132 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

years in the high school of Medway, and Carol 
has just entered. Oh, you will have quite a 
lot of new girls.” 

Do give some one else a chance,” cried 
Meta. “ Why, the town is improving in every 
way; and Mr. Hildreth and some of the men 
have wonderful plans. And maybe you didn’t 
know, before you went away, that last winter 
in Washington our representatives succeeded 
in getting a grant for dredging the river, and 
the whole paraphernalia came up just after 
you had gone. They have cleared out and 
deepened the channel so that larger boats can 
come up. That’s going to bring up more busi- 
ness. Oh, I do like to hear father and Mr. 
Hildreth talk. I like people to go ahead.” 

They all laughed a little at that and at the 
vigor with which it was uttered. 

“ I’d like to go down to school,” announced 
Helen. “ Why, I feel as if I had been away 
a year instead of one brief vacation.” 

Let us all go. To think school will begin 
on Monday! Oh, Miss Grant, we’re so glad 
you are to go on with us. You must stay here 
ten years at least.” 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK I33 

Oh ! oh ! ” ejaculated Helen. 

The rooms had been freshened up, some 
alterations made, two new classrooms put in 
order. Mr. Underwood was passing upon 
some papers, and nodded cordially. Helen 
glanced out of the window. 

“ Oh, how the ivy has grown ! ” she 
exclaimed. “ Why, some day the school will 
suggest English places. I am so glad we 
Americans are beginning to think more 
of beautifying our homes and institutions. 
And the fern-bed is beautiful! Some one 
has taken good care of them through the 
summer.” 

Is England so very beautiful?” asked a 

girl. 

Well, there are wonderful beauty spots all 
around. And the country is beyond any de- 
scription. People do take more pains. But, 
you see, they are not always outgrowing and 
moving. We visited one of my friends’ ac- 
quaintances, whose two girls were at her school 
— ^which really was delightful — I was there 
myself,” smiling. “ And the place,- — in Eng- 
land, I mean, — had been in one family over a 


134 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

hundred years. There were such beautiful 
trees and wonderful roses, and flowers of all 
kinds. I suppose here a man would have cut 
it up into building lots to make money. He 
was a manufacturer and not any great mag- 
nate. I think middle-class people are more 
content there.” 

‘‘Well, Mr. Hildreth’s is an old place, and 
so is the Goulds’. Mr. Field wanted to buy 
the Gould house.” 

“ I’m very glad they didn’t sell,” returned 
Helen. 

Mrs. Underwood entered the room. 
“ Girls,” she began, “ you will have Miss Grant 
all next week, and I’m going to take a little 
of her now. How do you do, traveled lady? 
You don’t look worn out at all, as some of them 
do when they return.” 

“ Oh, I didn’t put in half the things the 
ordinary tourist does. I hope to go sometime 
again. We visited with some friends of Mrs. 
Aldred. And English visiting has a restful 
side to it. All of it has been enchanting, like 
a glimpse of fairyland.” 

“ Well, girls, don’t look sour if I spirit her 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK I35 

away. I want my share. As I said, you will 
have her later on.” 

She drew Helen’s hand within her arm. 
The girls had a funny sort of surprised look, 
and one said under her breath, “ That’s mean; 
just when we were having such a good time. 
Miss Grant really belongs to us.” 

‘‘ I had to do it,” Mrs. Underwood said, with 
a laugh. “ I was dying to see you, and those 
girls are easily comforted. I haven’t had a 
very good time this summer. We went away 
for a little journey, but husband was in such a 
hurry to get back. They’ve turned Westfield 
upside down, and the new people want their 
way. When they began dredging the river, 
it was awful. I went down to Cape May by 
myself. I do suppose I’m foolish, but I hate 
to be depending on myself. When husband 
says we’ll go here or there, I can object if I 
like, but I rather enjoy being rushed off; and 
if it doesn’t come out right I can lay the blame 
on his decision. There’s to be an election in 
the fall for some new State senators and a 
governor and what not, and a school superin- 
tendent Husband isn’t much of a politician. 


136 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

but they roped him in. I hate politics, and I 
don’t want to vote. But what a time they are 
having over beyond! Did you go to any of 
the meetings ? ” 

“ No. We had to be careful of our time. 
But I went to hear a woman talk — a person 
I had heard about and was curious to see. She 
wasn’t a suffragist, nor a Socialist exactly, but 
she advised the women to stop marrying; be- 
ing sure that would bring the men to terms. 
I think the wives of the lower classes are 
worse treated than ours. And the poor, half- 
starved, diseased and deformed children ” 

“ Oh, let that all go. I’m not a philanthro- 
pist. I want to hear about the lovely, enter- 
taining things. You see, it is almost ten years 
since we were over. And we just had the 
merest glimpse of the House of Parliament, 
though I believe there was something dreadful 
going on — a government defeat and a regular 
uproar, and we hurried out. No one asked 
us to tea on the Terrace,” laughing. I want 
to go over again — ^to England. We did Italy 
and Austria the last time.” 

They had been walking through to the house. 


THE JOY OF COMING BACK 1 37 

The small courtyard was in brilliant bloom. 
The interior of the house was quiet and 
restful. 

“ Now that I have you, take off your hat. 
You are going to stay and have a little social 
time — just us three. I suppose husband told 
you of the application for you. Were you 
vexed at the upshot? You know you were 
engaged before you went away ? 

‘‘ It was all right. I really wanted to come 
back here. I am so at home.’’ 

“ Oh, I knew you couldn't be that ungrate- 
ful ! And now let us talk over London, Eng- 
land, Stratford-on-Avon, and the Wye, — and 
the Lake poets and the modern ones." 

“ We went to Shakespeare’s home, of course; 
we should not have ventured to return without 
that. And we saw Marie Corelli quite by 
accident, we three older ones. We did not 
dare tell the girls," smiling a little. 

‘'And was she " 

“ We found her very affable, a really pretty 
woman, and enjoyed our call amazingly. I 
remember when I was quite enthralled with 
two or three of her books." 


138 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ I liked her fight and her independence. 
And you made some distinguished friends ? ” 

‘‘ They were Mrs. Aldred’s. Yes, we had 
a delightful time and London is wonderful. 
I could spend a year there and still have some- 
thing left to see. Such a tour as ours simply 
whets the appetite for more.” 

“ Are you ready to marry an Englishman ? ” 

“ Not one of them asked me, ma’am,” she 
said. 

They both laughed. Then they discussed 
picture galleries, and new artists and old ones, 
and what they really liked. 

Mrs. Underwood rose to prepare the meal. 

‘‘ I’m just going to give you everyday fare,” 
she said. The ‘ new thought ’ with me is 
the simplest way of living in hot weather, and 
the coolest things to eat, especially when one 
has been driven and worried with business.” 


CHAPTER VII 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 

‘‘Well, at last matters are settled,” said 
Mr. Underwood, as he entered. “ Pm glad 
you kept Miss Grant, though we ought not to 
talk shop. But that is one of the nearest 
things, if not the dearest, and I suppose you 
have deluged her with the town gossip,” look- 
ing at his wife in a half-satirical fashion. 

“Oh, give me a good deal of credit. We 
have been sojourning in England. I left the 
Westfield news for you.” 

“ The Henderson girls were telling me of 
some newcomers. I suppose we are glad to 
have them in school.” 

“ Six for you. Two who will enter the third 
grade, having been to high schools before. 
Mr. Field will be an acquisition, I think. He 
is a great stickler for education. Well, I ought 
not to say a word against it, seeing that it is my 
bread and butter and Laura’s pie and cake.” 
139 


140 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

I am sure you are as fond of pie as the 
veriest Yankee.” 

Oh, that was merely a family division. I 
did not want to claim all.” 

‘‘ Tell me about the boys — ^have any fallen 
back?” 

“ Larry Dinsmore is first-class. You never 
saw a prouder man than his father. And he is 
making a nice, steady fellow. Two of the 
rumshops down by the cloth-mill have lost 
their licenses. The Carters owned one of 
of them, and they tore it down. It seems that 
it had been a rendezvous for thieves, who 
stored their plunder there until they could 
dispose of it. A big robbery at Newton was 
traced over here, and they found the silver 
there, so Driscoll was arrested for receiving 
stolen goods; and they found many other 
things, also melting-pots. The Carters were 
very much incensed. The license was revoked, 
and the old shack torn down. Boyle’s was 
raided one night and cleaned out. So two 
of the worst places are gone. Mr. Field is 
a strong temperance man, though not abso- 
lutely a Prohibitionist. And you may be sure 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE I4I 

Mr. Eastman has come out strong on that 
side. The town had become rather lax, but 
when we were made ‘ a den of thieves ’ it was 
a little too much.’' 

“ And Dick ? ” glancing up with tender in- 
terest in her eyes. 

‘‘ Well — I suppose it is all right; the doctors 
say so, but he keeps having the dreadful head- 
aches. He has been studying with Mr. Boyd, 
though his mother took him to the seaside for 
a fortnight, and he had the baths. He grows 
too fast. I think you won’t ever have any 
more trouble with him. There are two new 
boys that I mistrust a little. Mr. Boyd will 
be in the school two hours every morning and 
that will make your duties lighter. You see, 
now that we feel sure of success, we need not 
be quite so strenuous. There are two boat 
clubs, a tennis club for girls and boys, and 
quite a fine baseball club. Oh, we are going 
to be an ornament to the county. I dare say 
proposals will rush in upon you before the 
half year is over. But you belong to West- 
field, don’t forget that.” 

Next year! Was there to be only a year 


142 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

of this life she was enjoying so much? It 
gave her a sort of shock. 

Then they turned to other themes ; what she 
had seen and enjoyed. He was much inter- 
ested in her stay at Oxford, brief as it had 
been, and in her description of the race that 
Frank Waring had insisted the party should 
see. His brother had made arrangements for 
them, and his class had given them a “ spread,” 
greatly to Miss Orton’s delight. 

It seems as if they did not study as hard 
as most of our boys do, but they learn things 
with greater thoroughness. Perhaps it may 
be because they take up only the things they 
are going to need in their life work. Real 
intelligence exerts itself more.” 

“ And about the girls ? ” Helen gave a 
rather arch smile. “ Are there any new 
poets ? ” 

‘‘ Miss Winters seems to hold her ground. 
One of the newer magazines has listened to 
her plaint.” 

And Miss Ford is to be married in October. 
I think she rather flaunts her happiness in 
her friend’s face. They do not train quite 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 43 

SO much together as they used to. The judge 
has declared that Kate must stay at home for 
a year, and Mr. Layton seems nothing loth. 
The judge was very proud of having her 
among the first graduates.” 

“ And in a few years she will have forgotten 
most of the things she acquired for her lover’s 
sake,” declared Mrs. Underwood. “ Still the 
effort was worth making. Althea Barber has 
a lover; is engaged, I believe. I can’t keep 
track of all the girls. I am not as interested 
as husband is.” 

Your reputation does not depend on a 
widespread scholarship,” he answered dryly. 

They sat over the table a long while, en- 
joying the luscious fruit and discussing the 
changes of the coming season. Then Helen 
insisted that she must go, and Mr. Underwood 
walked home with her. 

Oh, dear,” began Lilian complainingly, 
“ everybody will want you. Mr. Hildreth has 
been in to say that he will expect us to tea 
to-morrow night, but of course it was you 
he wanted mostly. And auntie agreed. And 
next week it will be at least half a dozen 


144 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Others. But I suppose I shall be busy too. 
It will seem odd to teach again. I wish I 
could have stayed in the old school, where I 
could see you and walk home with you.” 

Mr. Underwood had thought it a better 
discipline that she should begin among 
strangers. And Helen felt it would leave her 
more at liberty, as she would have felt a sense 
of responsibility. 

She did not go to church the next day; she 
felt that she could not face all the old friends. 
But she was really glad to be again in Mr. 
Hildreth’s pleasant home; though they kept 
to the kindly neighborhood generalities, and 
her journey abroad. Gordon Danforth had 
spent two weeks with him before going to 
Niagara. He had grown very dear to the 
elderly man, who longed for just such a son 
to be a comfort to him in his old age. There 
was something in a son’s strength that a man 
could lean upon. 

It was a splendid, glowing morning, with 
all the fragrances of summer ripened to that 
indescribable sweetness that seems a mixture 
of something regretted, something still to 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 45 

come. The whole world was beautiful. She 
could see how Waring Grange looked; Ox- 
ford, with its spires and glistening windows; 
the valley of the Wye; London 

Lilian was walking beside her part of the 
way. 

“I shall feel half- frightened, I know; 
though Lve taught and ruled children before, 
but it seems as if it must have been in some 
other world. Well, so it was,” laughing. 
‘‘ Every new place is a new world, isn’t it ? 
For you couldn’t take in the whole great world. 
I sha’n’t like Mr. Briggs as I like Mr. Under- 
wood.” 

Helen made a swift return to the present. 

“ Oh, you will get used to it in a week’s time. 
I am going to be a little strange, too — what 
with new scholars and the changes — ^but one 
soon gets settled. Take courage.” 

The Henderson girls waylaid her. 

We’re so glad to have you back ! We 
wanted to come up yesterday, but mother said 
‘ no,’ that you would be tired out. To think 
you’ve been over to Europe ! Father has 
promised that we shall go some day.” 


146 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

The throng about her increased. It was 
lovely to be so warmly welcomed. They 
seemed to have started early. She had almost 
to force her way through the hall; but most 
of the scholars were to stay there until the bell 
rang, and only the ‘‘ Highs ” could come up- 
stairs. Miss Jaynes greeted her warmly, and 
the new teacher as well. A tall young fellow 
rose from a chair. 

“ Oh, Richard Eastman ! ” 

He was slender, and not robust; pale, but 
clear-eyed; and the lines of his face told the 
new story. 

“ Yes, father and I wanted to come up last 
evening, but we were afraid you would have 
a houseful. You look splendid, Miss Grant.” 

‘‘ And I feel splendid ! I’ve had a royal 
time. And I hope you have improved.” 

‘‘ I’ve tried mountains and seashore, and was 
glad to get home. I believe I really love West- 
field.” 

“ I am glad to come back to it, as well.” 

More than once she had wondered how it 
would seem. It was only an ordinary, small 
town, and full of ordinary people. Just every- 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 47 

day life. Was there not something better, 
higher? Would not being out in the great 
world appear more worth while ? 

But this delightful welcome, these bright, 
tender eyes, these smiling lips and precious 
words — were they not worth being written in 
the book of remembrance? 

There was not much doing that day beyond 
classifying and getting in line, and making 
the acquaintance of the new scholars. One of 
the Field boys had a merry, mischievous face; 
there was a sullen-looking girl, a Miss Boyer, 
who answered in the briefest fashion; but by 
noon Helen was her olden self. Miss Grant 
in the right place. For ten months her interest 
would be in teaching. 

She went to the Underwoods' to lunch; 
there were a few new regulations to talk over. 

‘‘ To-morrow, real study will begin," she 
said, as she dismissed the pupils. 

She had not unpacked her trunk to the bot- 
tom. There were various gifts to bestow, 
some letters to write. Would she ever get 
to the end of all the talk? Westfield people 
were not running abroad every summer. She 


148 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

smiled over the little touches of deference 
that one and another paid her; even Mrs. 
Eastman met her with an air of cordiality. 

At the end of the week Lilian Firth was 
really pleased with her new position. The 
children were so different from the stupid, in- 
attentive pupils she had known before. 

“ And there is so much that is interesting 
now in teaching,” she said eagerly. You 
are learning all the time yourself.” 

Letters and letters ! Juliet was quite as glad 
to be at home, though the journey and the 
people had improved and broadened her ideas. 
Now she should be glad to go again. Baby 
Theo seemed to have almost forgotten her, 
she thought, but she was as sweet as ever. 
Home looked lovely to her, but there was much 
outside work to be done, and inside work as 
well. Helen could see the soft, inspiring smile 
on her friend’s face. For there are two girls 
ready and anxious for glimpses of society. I 
feel they are fast outgrowing girlhood. 
Wilma has a taste and a desire for housekeep- 
ing, and I am going to let her practice in that 
department. I am more than ever persuaded 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 49 

that women should be fine and capable home- 
makers. Elma loves music and the baby. But 
I do not think either of them will be charity 
workers in my sense of the word. Are some 
girls just fitted for the home circle? It is a 
sacred gift and should not be marred. It is 
curious what diverse things we have learned 
from Mrs. Aldred. Was there ever a more 
splendid trainer of girls ? ” 

There was one among them all that somehow 
puzzled Helen. Her meeting with Gordon 
Danforth had been very brief — there were so 
many around that he really could not claim 
any lover’s privilege, and she was grateful for 
his forbearance. In a fortnight or so, he 
wrote, his waiting would be over, and he pro- 
posed to take a little holiday at Westfield. 
Now there was a new proposal. He had a 
college mate staying with him, whom he had 
coached and assisted in various ways, who 
wanted him to join in a Canadian tour that 
would take a fortnight or so. She had a right 
to his time just now — should he go? It was 
a fine opportunity, but there had been all the 
long separation in the summer. Why, they 


150 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

had hardly begun with the sweetness of their 
sudden betrothal. There would be so many 
plans to talk over — was it true that their lives 
were presently to be merged into one ? It was 
like a happy, impossible dream ; that he should 
have carried an ideal in his inmost soul for 
years, and then have it prove reality. 

It was an ardent love letter as well. Helen 
sat alone in her own room, curiously surprised 
at herself. Love and marriage had not been 
the dream of her girlhood. She had once said, 
to Willard Bell, that she was not a worshipful 
girl; her plans of life had, somehow, been set 
straight before her, and they suited her. She 
liked working with mind and soul and intelli- 
gence. Painting a picture would be irksome 
to her before it was done; the result must 
throw out fibers all along until completion. 
So with other things that women had chosen 
to do, working with inanimate materials. 

What if she had decided to go to Athol? 
Women were coming to the fore everywhere. 
They won fine positions of their own. She 
remembered some of the arguments Miss 
Trevor had used. And she had decided not 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE I5I 

to take up this question until — well, until she 
had won something for herself; position, may- 
hap, a chance for a generous salary; and, all the 
while, a freedom of self. 

Had she been hasty? — a foolish young girl 
caught by a sudden rush of preference? She 
had always admired Gordon Danforth. He 
had been her girlish hero, when he gave up 
college to help with the family; then again, in 
a sincerer fashion, when he relinquished the 
chance of a fortune for the work he considered 
nobler. Yes, she did love him. But there 
was no sense in their being foolish and im- 
provident, and trusting blindly in the Lord, 
when they had health and strength, and the way 
was clear before them. A year, after all, was 
only such a little while. She really would not 
have her work done here. Mr. Underwood 
had said “ ten years.’’ She smiled at that. 

“Of course we could not, would not marry 
for some time,” she thought slowly. “ We 
have both a work to do that should be done 
by each person before our lives join. At all 
events, my duty is here now. They have been 
very good to me, and I must not pay back 


152 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

in short measure. If he came it would take 
my time, and we are just in running order. 
The journey will be delightful for him.” 

She was not quite ready for the surmises 
about a lover. She really had an almost self- 
ish appropriation of herself at that moment. 
And while the mood was on her, she wrote a 
charming, friendly letter, with a little counsel 
as to the future. And he must take this nice 
journey with his friend. She was very much 
engrossed with keeping up to the mark with 
school duties, and later on she would have 
more leisure. 

Did you imagine I was pleading for a 
marriage?” he wrote in return. “Why, I 
must find a home first, where we can work 
together and enjoy the blessings I hope God 
has in store for us. And there is the other 
degree I hope to take next summer. Oh, you 
need not fear that I shall turn out a weakling. 
I want it to be a year of grace for us both; a 
preparation for the kind of work we shall both 
be the better fitted for and that we hope to do, 
with God’s help.” 

There were tears in Helen’s eyes. Was she 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 53 

really fitted for a clergyman’s wife? Was 
there not a great deal yet for her to learn? 

“ I hoped Gordon would spend a fortnight 
with us,” Mr. Hildreth said to her. “ Did he 
tell you that he was going off to Canada with 
a friend?” 

‘‘ Yes,” she made answer quietly. ‘‘ And I 
think he needed the journey. He has been 
working quite steadily all summer.” 

“ And how do the new plans go with you? 
We thought it rather hard for you last year.” 

‘‘ Oh, matters are on quite a different basis. 
Still, I think the year’s experience was good 
for me, as well as for the scholars. But I 
feel now that we are a regular high school,” 
with a bright smile that illumined her face. 
‘‘ We have the four departments, and I find 
Mr. Boyd a great help. He relieves Mr. 
Underwood, as well, and I am glad of that. 
He has worked hard for the success of the 
school.” 

“Yes. I have known that all along.” 

“ And there is no really vicious element in 
the school now. Not that they are all angels,” 
laughing a little. “ Sometimes they are quite 


154 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

trying. But I do enjoy it very much; and 
somehow I am glad of the experience with 
boys.” 

And poor Dick? ” 

He is doing finely, but I don’t want him 
to try to make up any lost ground. He will 
have to go moderately. It seems hard to be 
kept out of sports — and he is so fond of the 
boat clubs and athletic tests. He does row a 
little when there are none of the boys out; but 
he must be careful lest he should be tempted 
into speed. He has grown very brave about 
a great many things, and his father is the best 
friend a boy could have. I like to see them 
together.” 

Mr. Eastman is a most excellent citizen. 
He will be put up for State senator.” 

“ And that will take him away. I think 
Dick needs him more than the State.” 

Well, we want some of the best element 
at the capital. We are waking up a little to 
civic duty.” 

‘‘We are teaching it in school. And the girls 
ought to know a little. Englishwomen are 
much more interested in politics than we are.” 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 55 

Did you get converted to suffrage ? ” 
smiling. 

“ Well, partly. Think what men and women 
are doing in New Zealand. And it seems 
John Stuart Mill believed it would be better 
for the country. Charles Kingsley advocated 
it, as well as several others.’’ 

I’m not a believer in universal suffrage. 
There ought to be some educational require- 
ments. It is a big question,” and he sighed. 
“ But when women carry on business and 
farms, and own houses and lands, it seems as 
if they should have some voice. They must 
train their sons better, to begin with.” 

‘‘ So many of these successful women are 
single,” Helen returned archly. 

He gave a low, soft laugh. Inwardly, he 
hoped she would have sons to train. Now and 
then the old thought came over him — ^but he 
could not mar her life. 

There was quite an excitement in the town, 
about Miss Ford’s marriage. Georgia Win- 
ters had made overtures, when the matter was 
settled by an announcement, and written her 
some really pretty verses of congratulation; 


156 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

though she did feel, in the depths of her 
heart, that Mr. Layton should have belonged 
to her. Then she had won the second prize 
in a contest for an advertisement of a 
popular brand of tea, and been paid for a 
song, so that her hopes of fame took heart 
again. 

Kate was to be married in church and have 
three bridesmaids. Georgia was asked to 
stand first, as they had been friends so long, 
and Georgia was really pretty. The marriage 
was in the early evening. Kate was in the 
regulation white satin and lace, with a veil 
flowing over all. The judge gave her away, 
and was proud of the fine procession that 
marched up and down the aisle. There was 
a very enjoyable reception afterward, includ- 
ing old and young, and the bride and her hus- 
band started on their wedding journey amid 
hosts of good wishes. 

Then several other engagements were an- 
nounced in the society column, Althea Barber’s 
among them. It made quite a stir in the 
school, and, to Helen’s disgust, started a sort 
of sentimental interest that broke out in writ- 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 57 

ing letters and making arrangements for walks, 
or a row on the river, and laying claims to 
each other that awoke jealousy. 

I wouldn't worry about it," said Mrs. Un- 
derwood. ‘‘ It’s a sort of calf-love that runs 
its course like the measles. If you had gone 
to school with boys you would know all about 
it. It isn’t dangerous.’’ 

She was very glad that Mr. Boyd kept the 
boys up to the mark, and roused them from 
the half-dreamy habit. 

And oh, how busy they were ! The botany 
class went out every Saturday, and they were 
making a large herbarium for school use, find- 
ing, now and then, an odd plant hard to clas- 
sify, though each one tried his or her utmost. 
There were the ball games, and they had a 
great match with the Ridgewood school, and 
refreshments afterward on the tennis court at 
Mr. Henderson’s in true picnic style, with no 
end of fun. Mr. Palmer came over, and re- 
newed his attention to Helen in quite a pro- 
nounced manner. 

Basketball came into favor, and there was 
an enthusiastic gymnasium class. Mr. Boyd 


158 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

gave them a very entertaining talk, on Friday 
afternoon. 

“ Why, it almost makes me long to be tutor- 
ing again for steady company,” he said. 

Miss Grant, isn’t the school more interesting 
than such institutions usually are ? ” 

“ It’s like a small village,” returned Helen 
brightly. “ Everybody knows his neighbor, 
and, in a way, they pull together. When we 
have four or five hundred pupils, we can’t get 
at the heart of every one.” 

Miss Grant,” exclaimed one of the smaller 
girls, “ you promised to tell us about a house 
somewhere, in which ‘ Alice in Wonderland ’ 
was written. You said there was a picnic and 
— oh! do tell us all about it.” 

She had found that her journey abroad in- 
terested them very much, especially the differ- 
ent London sights. 

‘‘ It’s so much better than reading it in a 
book,” said Allen Millard. “ You can see the 
things so much plainer.” 

They listened with great attention when Sir 
Charles Waring was mentioned. 

“ Well,” she began, “ Mr. Frank Waring 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE 1 59 

took US to Oxford, where his brother Harlan 
is at college. It has a great row of buildings, 
some of them very beautiful. We saw quite 
a number of the collegians; and they called each 
other by such funny names, and no one seemed 
affronted. We were taken to Mr. Harlan’s 
rooms, where there was a spread. The long 
table seemed set out with everything in the 
way of cold meats and jellies, and some odd 
things that were like our croquettes. They 
talked and laughed and told funny stories on 
each other, and asked still funnier questions 
about America; such as — if we still lived in 
wigwams and wore Indian clothes when we 
were at home; and had Indian dances — and if 
we bleached our faces on shipboard, they were 
so white.” 

** Oh, didn’t they know any better ? ” asked 
a boy, rather disdainfully. 

Of course they did,” laughed Helen. “ It 
was only to add to the fun. Then there were 
custards, and tarts, and sweets, and ginger ale, 
and fruit punch; and healths were drunk, and 
then we set out, visiting the different colleges 
and a few of the rooms that were full of 


l6o HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

cricket bats, and ball clubs, and walking sticks, 
and pipe racks, and photographs of almost 
everything. And there, at Christ Church, 
we were ushered into the room where Lewis 
Carroll wrote ‘ Alice in Wonderland,’ and, I 
suppose, some other things. There was the 

old desk, chipped along the edges ” 

Oh, if you could have seen him ! ” 

“ No, he had gone to the other country. 
There were so many things to see, and such a 
little time to do it all. We went up the city 
to Magdalen Grove, where there is a herd of 
beautiful deer. On the top of the tower. May- 
day carols are sung. Then we had to see a 
boat race — and it was splendid. I have never 
seen anything like it. They went up and down, 
so that we should not lose sight of them, and 
then we had to rush off to take our train. It 
was a delightful excursion, only you need a 
good deal of time to get at everything. I did 
want to go to Rugby. Boys, you must get 
‘ Tom Brown at Rugby,* and read it. I be- 
lieve it is in our library. Even English boys 
and times have changed, but that is worth any 
boy’s perusal.” 


CASUAL AND TENTATIVE l6l 

“ Oh, dear,” cried Allen Millard. ‘‘ I want 
to go to England — to London — everywhere — 
but first to college.” 

She was glad she had awakened the desire 
in so many young hearts. How proud Mr. 
Underwood would be! Harry White would 
make a mark somewhere. Mark was resolved 
to go. Archie Varick would have to work his 
way, but he had pluck enough to do it. And 
sometime it would be Dick’s turn. The town 
was proud that Mr. Eastman had been offered 
the county nomination for State senator; but 
he had declined it, much to his wife’s chagrin. 

‘‘ I think there would be very little chance 
of success, the opposing party has such a well- 
known candidate; and I am not enamored of 
political life. Then my business does demand 
my attention. I am interested in the welfare 
of my own town.” 

‘‘ I’d like a change of some kind. I’ve been 
so confined at home this ever so long,” she 
complained. And the care of an invalid 1 
I don’t believe he can stand school life, and 
we shall have him in the doctor’s hands again.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 

Gordon Danforth made a brief visit at 
Westfield. His friend was so interested in 
Dr. Grenfell’s work that he pleaded for another 
month’s stay. 

“ It is a good experience for me, taking up 
a little clerical work in this way, though now 
the congregations are dropping off. I do not 
believe I should like to settle in such a parish, 
it is too shifting. I should like to get into 
people’s hearts and lives. Not but what the 
real congregation would need work in season 
and out of season, but they seem to have settled 
into a groove. There have been some interest- 
ing casuals. And oh, the brides! Dear, we 
shall not go to Niagara on our tour.” 

Helen flushed. It seemed a long way off. 
There was so much she desired to do. And 
she found such a comfort in Mr. Hildreth’s 
162 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 63 

fatherly regard. She was taking a curious 
new interest in the town and inspiring the boys 
with a stronger sense of citizenship. Was it 
not something to the women also? Cleanli- 
ness, order, comfortable homes, children 
trained to better habits and aims. Other 
towns had been roused from their lethargy. 
Some of the newcomers had formed a 
Woman’s Club. 

Gordon had resolved to return to college. 
There would be time enough next summer to 
plan for the new home. But another friend 
had begged him to accompany him to a Cana- 
dian town, where he was to take charge of 
some work on a new road that was to make 
an important connection with two other lines. 
He could afford a fortnight or so. 

“ It is queer how things come to me,” he 
wrote Helen. ‘‘ We found matters in great 
disorder. The surveyor had made some seri- 
ous mistakes and thrown up the job. The 
superintendent had gone off with the funds, 
and everything was in confusion. The com- 
pany were almost wild and were sending here 
and there, when I made a few suggestions, and 


164 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

they insisted on my taking charge; temporarily, 
at least. It was the old business that I had 
given up, but I did feel sorry for the poor men 
here who were willing to work and who 
had been promised a job for some months. 
I thought of ' whatsoever thy hand findeth to 
do.’ Kendal was offered the superintendency 
and accepted it. 

A wild, strange, beautiful country, where 
men are making, as one may say, steps for a 
new empire. Great fields are to be brought 
under cultivation, new towns to be built; and 
here, a throng of men, miles away from home, 
huddled together in the merest shacks without 
the comforts of life, away from their families 
and the amenities of civilization, dropping into 
the worst kind of heathendom, and yet holding 
out hands to be rescued — to be saved from 
themselves. It is not simply the generous pay 
I have been offered, but the absolute need of 
these souls that are almost ready to curse God 
for the inhumanity of man. Kendal is a 
fine, earnest fellow. So we shall stay until 
the thing gets straightened out a bit, two 
months perhaps. It is so different from the 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 65 

work at Niagara, with its refinement and 
fashion. But are we not to sow beside all 
waters ? ” 

Yes, he was manly and brave and earnest. 
Her whole heart was stirred again. What if 
sometime — he should decide to go out to fron- 
tier missionary work? 

How the time flew! All the homes she 
loved were prosperous and happy and wanting 
her, they said, for the Christmas holidays. 
Mrs. Yarrow was especially urgent. She had 
a surprise for her. And they desired to see 
her at the college. Some of the professors 
were staying over. 

Why, that was one of the pleasures she had 
been counting on. And she had hoped for 
another post-graduate course. Would it be 
Barnard and Professor Zahner ? She laughed 
a little at that. All the lovely homes must do 
without her. 

Ah, what a flood of past memories rushed 
over her as the old stage drove along the 
familiar streets, and the row of buildings 
loomed up. She had seen so much grander 
ones. But these were dear and full of old 


1 66 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

associations, for somehow it seemed a long 
time ago that she had been welcomed by Leslie 
and Lorraine. 

Professor Yarrow met her at the door. 
There were cheerful lights everywhere, and his 
welcome was full of surprise and cordiality. 

‘‘ Oh, send Helen up here at once,” said the 
well-known voice; and she mounted the stairs, 
stepping inside the room, which was the sleep- 
ing chamber. It was large, and beside the bed 
and the crib was a bassinet with clouds of 
white lace. 

I hardly believed you would come ; and I 
wanted to see you so much. I’ve lived last 
Christmas over and over. Didn’t we have a 
delightful time! And here is my gift, though 
it came a little too soon for the day — ^my little 
son. Oh, you can hardly realize the pleasure 
you give me. And you haven’t changed a bit, 
for all the varied experiences,” laughing with 
tender sweetness. 

The baby son of four weeks was plump and 
pink, with a little fringe of dark hair, and a 
doubled-up fist, as if he meant to hold on to 
whatever came in his way. They both looked 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 67 

at him and smiled. The mother’s eyes had 
such a tender, happy light. 

You see, this shut me out of journeys and 
all that. I wanted a girl at first; I was a little 
dubious about boys,” laughing. Now, this 
will be a new study to me. And all men like 
their name carried on. Husband is so happy 
here, and we have such a nice staff. But last 
winter’s outing was delightful. Oh, Helen, 
there is so much to talk about ! Do you know 
you never write real confidential letters ? And 
there was your summer journey. Oh, let us 
sit down.” 

‘‘ And Angela ? ” 

“ She is fine and healthy, with streaks of 
badness enough to keep any mother on the 
watch, and she picks up knowledge rather too 
rapidly. She is having her supper now, and 
goes to bed shortly after. I have the same 
little maid, quite a young woman now, who 
goes out to walk with her every afternoon, and 
when she is in bed I go and say good-night. 
I think she didn’t cordially welcome little 
brother at first, and isn’t very adoring now; 
but I shall let love come by degrees. Then, 


l68 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

as the house is not very large, I do not keep 
another regular servant. The woman who 
does my laundry work comes in every day at 
four, gets my dinner, and washes up the dishes. 
We are doing the rest for ourselves. House- 
keeping is not so much work when you do not 
make it too ornate. I hope to remain in favor 
of simple living.” 

“ You are an ideal housekeeper.” 

** And I don’t see as my friends find much 
fault. They rarely refuse an invitation. I 
am keeping in touch with the outside world 
as well — only I really do not find time for 
bridge and a lot of foolish calls. Of course 
we haven’t all the city temptations. I’d like 
a fine play, and an opera now and then. But 
having chosen my lot I accept its limitations. 
And I am very happy. Have you heard any- 
thing about Hamilton College ? ” 

‘‘No,” replied Helen. 

“ I had a letter from Mr. Benfield less than 
a month ago. They began very well. The 
school was merged into a preparatory class. 
They found a Wellesley woman, who is doing 
excellent work but is not quite the person Miss 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 69 

Hamilton would like for her aid. Of course it 
will be a success; there is enough money back 
of it, until it can pay its way. Oh, Helen, are 
you quite sure you did not make a mistake ? ’’ 

Helen flushed deeply. Had she? 

‘‘ Mr. Benfield asked about you, and if I 
thought your plans had been permanently set- 
tled. I understand that accepting the position 
as it was offered to you would shut you out of 
what seems dearest to many women — a real 
home. And you might not have liked Miss 
Hamilton’s ideas all the way through. But 
she had a longing for some one young, who 
would grow into a friendship with her. Be- 
cause you had no real family ties, — and I guess 
it was your personality as well,” smiling, Mr. 
Benfield thought you would fit in admirably. 
I did look at the position as one that would 
keep advancing you as the years went on. 
You always seemed to me ambitious. You 
have qualities that will surely win in the race. 
And it seems as if you should fulfill all the 
promises.” 

“ I think you overrate me. But,” smiling a 
little, “ I had another offer in a larger place, a 


170 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

high school as well. It came while I was 
abroad, and Mr. Underwood answered it. His 
heart is set on the success of his bantling, and 
now he fixes my limit at ten years. But — I 
cannot quite explain — I like the work I am 
doing there. I like many of the people. After 
all, it seems as if human nature is about the 
same everywhere. Westfield is enlarging its 
borders on every side, and several fine men 
have come in. There are some promising 
young people as well. There is a good work 
to do. I do think I have been an influence in 
several lives, and it seemed as if I ought not to 
leave it half done. A new hand might mar 
it. I shall always be glad I stayed. Mr. Un- 
derwood is a most excellent friend, and Mr. 
Hildreth would have been dreadfully disap- 
pointed. Then my salary was raised this 
year. It is not an expensive place to live in, 
and is near to most of my friends. Now I 
have some admirable friends. Oh, I think I 
shall never regret the decision.” 

‘‘ Of course your engagement would have 
stood in the way ” Mrs. Yarrow said ten- 

tatively. 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR I7I 

“ My decision was made first. I had not 
been dreaming of marriage as most girls do. 
And even now it may be a long way off.” 

Somehow I am disappointed. He may be 
noble and worthy of the best a woman can 
give, but a poor clergyman seldom reaches any 
high point, and you should be filling one of 
the finest influential places.” 

There was a step in the hall, and a cheerful 
voice gave a welcome before the hand could 
be outstretched. It seemed to Helen that the 
Professor had grown younger, his face had 
rounded out, and the cheeks had a pink tint 
from the fresh air and his brisk walk. 

“ I hardly need say how glad I am, we are, 
to see you,” smiling. I just said good-night 
to Gates outside; and I should have brought 
him in, but I knew wife would want you to 
herself. He was speaking of you, and I had 
much ado to keep the secret to myself. And 
here is the newcomer to greet you — at least 
he may presently. Why, we can hardly be- 
lieve we have you here ! Perhaps we shall not 
let you go away. There is a vacancy. One 
of our staff has had to resign on account of ill 


172 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

health. We had two new ones, when we 
opened, to take the place of others who 
married." 

“ Even college instructors marry," appended 
the lady sententiously. 

There was a gentle sound of the dinner- 
bell. Baby slept on, and they went down- 
stairs. 

Very little had been changed. A beautiful 
new vase on the chimneypiece and two fine 
engravings. The table was simply arranged, 
and a few roses lent a fragrance. It was like 
a picture in its harmony. The viands were 
brought in, and the Professor served noise- 
lessly. 

He was eager to hear how the new school 
year had opened with Helen, and she gave a 
happy account of it. 

And the poor fellow you were so anxious 
about last winter ? 

Oh, he is in school now, though he will 
have to take things moderately. But he has 
learned some of life’s great lessons and is 
applying them. Two of last year’s graduates 
have gone to business, and will do well. Now 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 73 

we have enough pupils to make classes really 
interesting, and they seem anxious to learn.’’ 

We are flourishing. In fact, I am not 
sure that going to college isn’t a sort of fad, 
for the first year. But the laggards do 
get weeded out, only there is a new crop. 
You do the work over and over again. How- 
ever, we have sent out some fine teachers and 
hear very good accounts of them. And isn’t 
the true test of education the capacity of being 
of service to the world? It is more needed 
now than at any other period, to stem the tide 
of lawlessness and folly. But we’ll let that 
go for to-night, and talk of that wonderful old 
world that rouses the admiration of the trav- 
eler. You had only time to see a little. You 
were wise to take it in installments.” 

“ I think so now, unless one can remain for 
years. My first plan was a long holiday when 
I had saved up money enough. My friend and 
I were to take it leisurely. How many times 
we change our minds about our desires,” and 
Helen gave an amused laugh. 

I went to Germany first, with a charming 
Fraulein, thinking I would have time to see 


174 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

at least half the Continent,” said Mrs. Yarrow. 
“ I was a pretty good German scholar, but we 
went to only a few towns, and, returning, took 
in that wonderful Holland. We left France 
and Italy for our wedding tour. When we 
have been married ten years we shall try Rus- 
sia. We have had separate glimpses of most 
other places. And you were in the Houses 
of Parliament. We only went through them.” 

The small maid came in, changed the dishes, 
and arranged the dessert. It was done quietly, 
and the fruit basket set within reach. But 
they were barely through when Professor 
Gates came in, much surprised to find his old 
pupil. Mrs. Yarrow went to attend to her 
little son, but the Professor asked so many 
questions that for a few moments they fell in 
showers upon Helen. 

“ It was a mistake for you to go away, you 
were doing such good work in astronomy. 
You should have made it a specialty. So 
few women are at all adapted to it, yet it is 
one of the most beautiful, most wonderful 
studies there are. I have the charts you made. 
Professor Anderson thought them remarkable 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 75 

for a girl. Oh, Miss Grant, you must go to 
Norway; you should see the midnight sun.'’ 

‘‘ Life isn’t long enough to go everywhere,” 
said Helen humorously. And then my purse 
might fail. Oh, why doesn’t some philanthro- 
pist — ^wouldn’t you call him that? — start a 
fund to take out those who really want to 
study the wonders of the world? — not mere 
pleasure trips, but for those who desire to do 
something with their knowledge ? ” 

That’s an excellent idea. Government 
does send out parties sometimes when wonder- 
ful occurrences are not visible here. Yes, it 
would be better worth writing up than many 
of the wrong and foolish things we get in 
books. Tell me what you are doing? ” 

Helen gave a rather humorous account of 
her first endeavors to disseminate the fruits 
of the tree of knowledge. 

“ I suppose that gave you experience such 
as you did not get in college, only on general 
lines. And so two of your worst boys are 
likely to make decent, industrious, self-respect- 
ing men. Well, that isn’t so bad, but it was 
pretty hard work.” 


176 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ And it was work for others,” said Pro- 
fessor Yarrow, with a sweet, appreciative 
smile. “ Come, Gates, you shall not make the 
sort of woman out of Miss Grant that can 
revolve around only one ideal, like some of 
your wonderful orbs that get around once in 
half a century or so. Women ought to have 
more interest in the human race; they are 
built on different lines.” 

Helen thought of her father. His life had 
been of some avail to science, but what had 
he known of that higher, broader life whose 
corner stone was humanity? 

Mrs. Yarrow entered, smiling and gracious. 
Helen thought she had never seen her look 
so pretty. She had prepared her baby for 
slumber and put him in his crib, then gone to 
kiss the rosy, sleeping Angela, who in the 
morning would say, “ Did you come and kiss 
me good-night, mamma ? ” and be content, even 
if she was not awake, sure that her mother 
had not forgotten her. How smoothly the 
household wheels seemed to revolve! 

Don’t let me interrupt the talk,” she 
said. 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 77 

‘‘ Gates is regretting that he did not make 
an astronomer out of Miss Grant.” 

Helen laughed. ‘‘ I do not believe you could 
have done it. To make a few exact charts 
does not indicate a master mind.” 

“ And there is Hardy’s ‘ Two on a Tower.’ 
Can you recall it? They both went almost 
crazy. There is something about the wonders 
of the upper world that is so mysterious, so 
untranslatable, so utterly unfathomable ” 

“ When you are making science and religion 
agree, let the churchmen dispute the points. 
We look at the cycles; the birth of new worlds; 
the ever-changing phenomena; the wonderful 
order that never misses though years may in- 
tervene. But a woman rarely has the pa- 
tience.” 

You see, she has to use it for so many 
other things. And they are dearer to her.” 
Mrs. Yarrow gave a soft little laugh. 

“ I dare say there was some one to take my 
place,” returned Helen. ‘‘ And I want to 
know about the girls. How many have come 
up to fame ? ” 

“ Yarrow, let us have a little smoke, and 


178 HELEN grant’s HARDEST YEAR 

leave the ladies to gossip,” Gates said, rather 
annoyed. If he could have kept hold of this 
girl he might have made a professor of her. 
Now she would teach school until some nice 
fellow, who hadn’t half her real ability, came 
to hand, when she would marry him. Women 
were not single-minded! No doubt, Mrs. 
Yarrow had spoiled a fine future for herself, 
but she had not spoiled the Professor. Prob- 
ably the children would. 

Yes, the girls,” recommenced Helen. 

Miss Powers will graduate this year. What 
is Betty Gamier doing?” 

Teaching athletics and dancing and — well, 
physical culture we call it now. She was a 
good scholar, too. I sometimes wonder if it 
is best to crowd so many things into a girl’s 
life that she will have no need for; that in a 
few years are merely useless lumber that she 
is too proud to let drop entirely, but that is 
really of no service.” 

But she cannot tell just what she may 
need in after life,” suggested Helen. “ There 

are so many changes, reverses ” 

“ And the systems of teaching change. 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 79 

Every year I found the need of going farther 
on, of taking up new methods of the old 
studies. We will take chemistry, for instance; 
what a change has been worked in twenty 
years! Now, it has entered into so many 
things — ^the simplest, the most abstruse. 
What the girl learns in college ought to fit her 
for housekeeping, but it seldom does. She 
seems to have gained no elasticity in the appli- 
cation of what she has studied.” 

‘‘ But so many girls teach. And a college 
degree is a passport to a higher position.” 

‘‘ And so many girls have two or three years 
of society and then marry, many of them un- 
wisely. They are not trained in the value of 
money as applied to themselves, to their situa- 
tion in life. Economics should be broader, 
or else there should be a new branch. The 
same system cannot apply to every one.” 

“ Yet, after all the years as a college presi- 
dent, you seem to succeed admirably. Why, 
we girls were enchanted with the Mistress of 
Tulip Cottage,” laughed Helen. “ And the 
children do not disturb the pleasure or com- 
fort. Why, you would hardly know there 


l8o HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

were any in the house. And I have not seen 
Angela yet.” 

“ I resolved that I would not make my chil- 
dren the chief thing in the household. I have 
so often been annoyed when other people have 
done this. Angela has all day for amusement. 
She has breakfast and luncheon with us, unless 
there are especial guests. She has a simple 
dinner quite early. It is her supper. She 
plays about a little, then goes to bed. We 
have the evenings to ourselves. I have kept 
up my conversation evening, though now it is 
largely devoted to solving puzzles and troubles 
that beset young minds. I think how different 
the puzzles are from those of my girlhood, and 
how many of them are positively useless. We 
try to keep to the practical.” 

‘‘ That is what I miss so much — those de- 
lightful talks we used to have. Miss Morse 
was such a help to the girls. But I had only 
a little of yours. Sometimes I think I would 
like to study all my life.” 

‘‘ I think you are doing it, and will. All 
knowledge does not come out of text-books. 
Mr. Benfield would have liked Miss Morse for 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR l8l 

one of their teachers. We were all afraid she 
might be coaxed away. But she is well satis- 
fied here, and she likes being not far from 
her brother. Her young sister-in-law is a 
great deal to her. I am glad Mrs. Morse had 
even that brief experience of college teaching. 
She admits she has found it a good discipline.’^ 

“ I am to end my visit with her. I have 
not seen her in her new home. Even friends 
have to be put aside sometimes for duty. And 
it seems as if I had so many that I could never 
get quite around.” 

** Miss Morse thinks she makes a charming 
clergyman’s wife and is a true helpmeet.” 

The Professor bade his friend good-night 
and re-entered the room. If Helen had gone 
over her London experiences, she must begin 
again. He so liked to hear first impressions. 

“ No,” she returned laughingly, “ we have 
been talking — what the wife of my principal 
terms * shop.’ College — education — girls.” 

You couldn’t look much into the educa- 
tional part in that little while, when there are 
so many wonders. When we are a thousand 
years old, we may have something to show. 


1 82 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Though I think we have made rapid advances 
for a young nation, but then we have had ad- 
vantages.” 

“ And somehow — we visited a good deal. 
Our chaperon, Mrs. Aldred, had most charm- 
ing friends, and when our party shrank to the 
normal, we visited them. They were titled, 
but not dukes, or belted earls,” laughing. 
“ But through them we went to the Houses 
of Parliament, and heard some speeches that 
I believe I’ve forgotten. And we had the love- 
liest walk on the Terrace, which was alive 
with people, and enchanting with the river 
and the shore and the sky, catching a thousand 
tinted lights full of poetic mystery. If I was 
an Englishwoman I should be a rather rabid 
one, I know.” 

‘‘If you knew nothing about the other side 
of the great city.” 

“ No, we did not see that. Oh,” with a look 
of amusement, “ we heard a good deal about 
the suffrage. Think of their having agitated 
it nearly forty years ago, and such men as 
John Stuart Mill, and Kingsley, and other 
famous people being in it then ! A Miss 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 83 

Trevor roomed with me the first year I was 
here, whose aunt was an expatriate. She had 
English and Vienna degrees, and wanted to 
educate this young girl, who had an ideal of 
home and husband, and was willing to work 
and wait for it. She, the aunt, thrust out the 
ideal and wanted to educate the girl on severer 
lines and enter her at Girton. And I heard 
the aunt speak at a Sunday afternoon gathering 
that was — Socialism, I think, if it had any 
name.” 

‘‘ What was the young girl doing ? ” asked 
the Professor. 

‘‘ Oh, her lover spoke, and she accepted him. 
That was at Easter. She finished her fresh- 
man year, went home and taught in a public 
school until they could afford to marry, and 
has been very happy and useful, I think. She 
couldn’t have taken what is termed the higher 
education, and she knew it. So she broke 
with her aunt, and declined the advantages for 
love’s sake, which her aunt despised. She, 
Miss Trevor, is a fine-looking, impressive per- 
son, and her panacea — this was mostly for the 
working girls — was to refuse marriage until 


184 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

the men learned their real worth; until they 
were willing to grant them equality, suffrage; 
until they were no longer slaves, helping to 
support their husbands and seeing their chil- 
dren perish for want of care and nourishment. 
Oh, much of it was fine, and pathetic as well.” 

“ I should agree with her about the early 
marriages,” said the Professor. “ We have 
far too much of it here — and deserted wives. 
Our institutions are filled with worse than 
orphaned children. And among what we term 
the better classes, up to the highest, divorces 
are by far too prevalent. Think of there being 
a divorce for every twelve marriages ! 
Though what swells the list, without counting 
in any more individuals, is the habit of being 
divorced two and three times.” 

When women begin to respect their own 
individuality, and are able to provide for them- 
selves, and have more satisfactory lives, mar- 
riage will not be the great aim. Your Miss 
Trevor is right about some things. How odd 
that you should have run across her. I have 
seen her name, I am quite certain,” said Mrs. 
Yarrow. The Englishwomen have a big 


THE GRACE OF ENDEAVOR 1 85 

fight before them, as we shall have in the larger 
cities. And, like her, I believe in education. 
Ignorant men are as much of a menace as 
ignorant women can be.” 

“ The world moves slowly, but it does move 
sure,” said the Professor. “ Miss Grant, I 
think you employed your time pretty well. 
And I must compliment you on keeping your 
youth and your vital interest as a true college 
student. That is what we aim for now.” 

“ And we must send her to bed,” said the 
hostess. ‘‘ There will be to-morrow for talk.” 


CHAPTER IX 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 

There was a cozy breakfast the next morn- 
ing. Angela was in her high chair at her 
mother’s side, and responded cordially to 
Helen’s kiss. Jenny waited until the fruit and 
cereals had been passed, and then went back 
to the baby. He woke about five, and after 
an early breakfast, went to sleep again. It 
was Mrs. Yarrow’s theory that all babies 
needed, at this stage, was sleep and food. 

And I never asked about your friend’s 
little girl,” said Mrs. Yarrow. ‘‘ Didn’t it 
take a good deal of courage to leave her? ” 

“ It took a good deal of resolution to decide 
upon the journey, and it was done mostly for 
the twins’ sake. But she was so pleased that 
she is quite resolved to try it again. Short 
journeys are not so formidable as to plan for 
a year or two. I spent Thanksgiving at Kings- 

i86 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 1 87 

land. Baby Theo is lovely and bright and 
sweet. We are all looking for the develop- 
ment of some dreadful traits, but they do not 
come to light. Perhaps environment will prove 
the determining factor.'’ 

“ That work is most excellent,” said the 
Professor. “ A real home is better than an 
institution; but we must be thankful for the 
institutions and their good work.” 

Angela ate her breakfast in a pretty manner 
that Helen thought quite wonderful. Then 
they went to the small nursery at the end of 
the hall. Baby was kept in his mother’s room 
that he might have quiet. 

Helen would go over to the college with the 
Professor. Oh, how dear and familiar every- 
thing looked! There were old friends in the 
library, which had had many new and valu- 
able additions. She saw several of the girls 
she had known, and had a most cordial 
greeting. Then she hunted up Professor 
Blake. 

Upon my word. Miss Grant I ” He sprang 
up with an outstretched hand. Why, I did 
not know as I should ever see you again in 


1 88 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

this mortal life. To think of your giving your 
Alma Mater the go-by all these years ! ” 

“ Not so very many years,” returned Helen, 
with gayety. “ And I’ve had serious thoughts 
of coming back for another post-graduate. 
There are so many new things all the time.” 

‘‘ Let me see — you took the freshman prize, 
didn’t you? And you skipped a class. And 
now you are managing a high school ? ” 

With a good deal of assistance,” she re- 
turned mirthfully. 

Oh, we have heard of you. We keep a 
record of the teachers who go out, and it 
averages high. We have had a new prize 
and two scholarships added to us.” 

What a pity I wasn’t a little later ! I 
would surely have captured a scholarship. 
And now I wonder if you can tell me about a 
student who took a post-graduate the same time 
that I did, and who was afraid she wouldn’t 
find a niche to work in; a Miss Carr.” 

Miss Carr ! ” He took down the record 
book and turned over the leaves. ‘‘ Yes, here 
it is : ‘ An unprepossessing person in the late 
twenties. Teacher in a seminary; gives good 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 1 89 

satisfaction. At the beginning of this school 
year went to a woman’s college in Indiana. 
Higher salary.’ ” 

“ Oh, I am so glad,” declared Helen in a 
quick tone. She was so afraid of ending 
her days in an almshouse, that she was ready 
to work day and night, and save, as well. 
She stood high, and I know you gave her a 
good recommendation.” 

He laughed. She wondered if the freshmen 
of this year were afraid of his frown. 

‘‘ When are you coming back? There were 
two vacancies in the summer.” He gave a 
pleasant little laugh, quite doubtful, however. 

‘‘ When my work is done there.” 

“ You’ll be old by that time.” 

“ And old people are at a discount? ” 

You’ll marry some one before that.” 

They both laughed as she wished him good- 
morning. 

‘‘ Don’t you want to go in and see Mrs. 
Jordan? She has been something of an in- 
valid this winter. And the president had to 
go to some great educational meeting, so she 
stayed at home.” 


190 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

They found her in her pretty sitting-room 
that was bright with flowers. She had changed 
a good deal, Helen thought, yet she was sweet 
and affable. What had Helen been doing 
these years? 

And you look as if you had been happy.” 
The elder woman studied the bright, young 
face. 

I think I have been,” she said, rather 
slowly. ‘‘ I have had to work hard for some 
things, but they came my way at last; and 
one feels glad of a duty done, when it is 
influencing young lives.” 

That is the finest of all. And if you can 
rouse youth to its duty and privileges, and set 
its feet in the right way, you have done one 
of the best things in the world. It is upright, 
honest, personal influence that carries the day 
in the end. And you went abroad the past 
summer ? ” 

They had a bright talk about that, and of 
the girls who had come and gone; of merry- 
makings, and the success of a few who were 
now quite famous in certain lines. Then the 
Professor came in. 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING I9I 

Wouldn’t Helen stay to luncheon? Well, 
if she was expected back, couldn’t she come in 
to-morrow ? — and they would have another 
chat. Should she invite any one else? 

‘‘ Oh, no, please,” said Helen. 

“ I should like to have Mrs. Yarrow, but I 
suppose that is hardly possible. How charm- 
ingly she trains her little girl! She ought to 
start a new branch of home management — the 
training of children. Or does the first one 
carry off the mother’s best energies ? ” 

“ Surely you have had a morning,” said 
Mrs. Yarrow on her return. “ Mrs. Jordan 
was quite ill in the fall and does not seem to 
recover wholly, but she expects to resume her 
pleasant receptions. The social life of the 
college is worth a good deal to the teachers 
as well as the scholars.” 

After lunch the Professor went over to the 
laboratory again. For an hour or two the 
baby was quite troublesome, then he dropped 
into slumber. Angela was very entertaining, 
with her pretty baby ways and odd speeches, 
some of them borrowed from books she had 
read. She could tell about the pictures, but 


192 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

she liked those of the birds and animals best, 
and the stories where they talked to each other. 

“ I hear the birdies out-doors talk some- 
times, and there’s a little squirrel runs up and 
down the tree. Hasn’t he any one to talk 
to?” 

I think he must have, in his nest in the 
tree. Maybe she doesn’t like to come out in 
the cold.” 

“ Did you ever see a great big el’ f ant ? And 
what does he keep in his trunk? Don’t he 
always have his clothes on?” 

The trunk seems a great puzzle to An- 
gela,” said her mother. It is interesting to 
see and hear the puzzles of the small brain, and 
how many things they discover for them- 
selves.” 

In the evening three girls who were in one 
of the cottages came in, and they had a very 
merry time, talking over fun and frolics. Six 
new cottages had been added, and some of 
the classes had grown so large they had been 
divided. 

Helen felt proud of all the improvements, 
and the advanced standing. And she enjoyed 



Angela was very entertaining. — Page 191 






A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING I93 

her luncheon with Mrs. Jordan very much the 
next day. 

Mrs. Yarrow would fain have kept her all 
the vacation, but she was not selfish enough 
to desire to abridge her visit with her other 
dear friend. Yet she was not a little curious 
about the girl. 

Helen,’’ she began suddenly, one evening 
when they were alone — the last one; “ forgive 
me if I touch upon a point where you have 
kept reticent. It is not from mere curiosity. 
But you do not act like a girl at all in love. 
And you suggested that as the reason for 
declining Athol. Is it broken off? Was it a 
mistake ? ” 

Helen’s face was scarlet and her eyes down- 
cast. 

I know a friend seldom mends matters, 
but she can, at least, give sympathy. Or I 
will be content — no, not content, but accept 
your silence as if I were wrong in my asking.” 

“ I puzzle myself,” Helen answered in a 
slow, low tone. “ I was so taken by surprise. 
It was some one that I had admired from girl- 
hood up, though we had seen very little of 


194 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

each other. In certain ways, as a son, he had 
won my admiration, for he gave up a cherished 
wish in order to help his family. And, curi- 
ously enough, your Mr. Hildreth met him 
under peculiar and sorrowful circumstances. 
He was free then, was working his way 
through college and taking up theology as well. 
Even in the business episode he had appealed 
to me — we were at the house of a friend; 
Mr. and Miss Morse were staying there as 
well. It was a choice between a fine business 
opening and the life he most ardently desired. 
Mr. Morse influenced him, strengthened him 
in his decision; and I, in a girl’s enthusiasm, 
ranged myself also on that side. He thought, 
then, that Mr. Morse was likely to be my lover. 
It is curious, but sometimes you meet a man 
who becomes a* measure for all other men to 
you. Even then I had no idea of marrying — 
in the depths of my heart. I wanted my own 
life. I wanted to do something with it. Not 
to be famous for any special thing, though I 
would like to have had a real genius,” and 
she smiled and flushed. All girls have 
dreams and plans, I think, and new ones come. 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 1 95 

I had planned to teach; there was nothing else 
for me to do. Any kind of office work would 
have been martyrdom. I wanted to deal with 
real people, to shape up character, to bring 
out the best of those I came in contact with; 
or, if there was no best, to sow some seed and 
watch for the harvest. Was I vain to have so 
much faith in myself ? '' 

‘‘No, you can’t call it vanity. You were 
always willing to work for results.” 

“ I’ve been very happy, too.” Her eyes 
kindled and a half smile played about her 
mouth. “ I have had some of the most de- 
lightful friends^ I ought to be thankful to 
you and the Professor for Mr. Hildreth, who 
has been one’s ideal of a fatherly friend. 
And I have been so interested in the school 
children. They seemed very ordinary at first, 
in contrast with the college girls; and boys 
were a new factor that I had to learn to deal 
with. There were three very trying ones. 
They were untruthful, resolved that they would 
obey no woman, since they had outgeneraled 
men teachers. And, at first, I think Mr. Un- 
derwood doubted my ability. A larger school 


196 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

would have needed a man. Well, there was 
the awful accident to Richard Eastman, so I 
can’t take all the credit for the boy’s conver- 
sion. He had been drinking that afternoon. 
They all drank beer and smoked cigarettes; 
played cards in a saloon, unknown to their 
fathers. I think that stirred up the par- 
ents. And last year there was a great 
change. Some new people came in and helped 
raise the tone. I have made friends with the 
boys, and am interested in their lives. They 
are to be the men of Westfield prese’ntly. 
There is no large outlook for the girls, though 
a few of them may go to college. But good 
wives are as much needed as fine men.” 

“ And then your lover came. I heard about 
him from Mr. Hildreth; at least, the episode 
with the Holmans.” 

“ There was the old acquaintanceship; and 
my admiration for him. Well — I was as fool- 
ish as any other girl,” and again Helen blushed 
deeply. “ We made a sudden engagement.” 

** But you loved him ? Why, Helen, you 
are not the girl to yield to a mere fancy.” 

“I seemed to have changed. I had prom- 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 1 97 

ised to teach this year. I felt I was really 
needed, and I wanted to carry on my own 
work. It would have been a great disap- 
pointment to me if Mr. Underwood had settled 
upon some one else. And Gordon was in no 
position to marry. So it may be a two years’ 
engagement. He wants to take another de- 
gree. He is already in orders, and has had 
quite a long experience at Niagara. Then 1 
went abroad ; and somehow it seems to have en- 
larged my thoughts, my desires. I have been 
learning what women can do for themselves — 
for each other — for the world. And it is 
largely the single women. Brave old St. Paul 
told the truth, that she who had a husband 
cared to please him, and that her interests 
were in her house. I wonder if all women are 
fitted for marriage. Some make a great fail- 
ure of it.” 

‘‘ Why did you not accept the proffer of 
Athol ? In ten years, perhaps less, you would 
have been one of the representative women.” 

Mrs. Yarrow always wondered why this had 
not appealed more strongly to Helen’s ambi- 
tion. 


198 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

As I told you, I liked the school. I had 
made some delightful friends. It was near 
New York, and I had not exhausted the 
pleasures of the great city. Then, if Miss 
Hamilton liked me as she fancied she would, 
I should have felt in honor bound to remain, 
perhaps as long as she lived. It seemed to 
abridge my personal liberty. Now I am 

free ” Then she colored vividly and drew 

her brows almost in a frown. 

And your engagement ? ” 

‘‘ Gordon has a college friend, who had been 
offered a position on the building of a road 
that was to open up a fine tract of country 
and connect two considerable towns in Can- 
ada. He was not certain he would take it, 
but he wanted Gordon to go out with him and 
help judge whether it would be best. Gordon 
came to Westfield for a flying visit. He might 
be gone a month; then he was to go back to 
Yale and take his other degree. But mat- 
ters up North were in the wildest confusion. 
The paymaster and the head engineer had ab- 
sconded with a large amount of money, and 
the poor workmen were on the verge of desti- 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 1 99 

tution. It was necessary to get on with the 
work as rapidly as possible; and as Gordon 
had been three years in road building, he 
offered his services. Then — I think he has a 
great missionary spirit — he was much inter- 
ested in the poor laborers, many of them far 
from their own homes. After a while matters 
were straightened out, but it seemed a duty 
to remain.” 

“ And you did not like it? ” 

‘‘ Oh, I was much engrossed with my work. 
Then I asked myself how I would like to go 
out to Western wilds as a missionary’s wife; 
and I knew at once I could not find happiness 
in it. I want civilization. Perhaps I have a 
luxurious side to my nature. Oh, I should 
hunger for fine music, for the talks and lec- 
tures that stir one’s brain, for pictures, for 
travel, and the friends one makes. No, I 
could not be heroic enough for that. And 
would I have a right to restrict another life, 
brave enough to take it up? ” 

‘‘ Helen, that might never come to you. 
Why, in the crowded cities there is work 
enough to do for perishing souls.” 


200 HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 

“ It has made me think whether I was wise 
in so readily accepting a noble, self-denying 
life that might sometime consider it a duty. 
I have no right to mar it. Not that I am 
solicitous for the high places. But I should 
have considered. And I shall have to meet the 
issue sometime. Perhaps it may grow clearer 
to me. We are young and can wait.” 

Has he gone back to college ? ” 

Oh, queer things are happening all the time. 
He was to be back by Christmas. A few 
years ago, Mr. Hildreth assisted some friends 
in a scheme out in Alaska that seemed to prom- 
ise great things and then fell flat. He had 
given it up, so far as profit went, and was 
most sorry for his two friends; then, last 
summer, there was a sudden boom that carried 
it to success and enabled the company to re- 
imburse its patrons. There were reasons 
why it was best for him to go out. So he 
wrote to Gordon, and was to pick him up 
somewhere. The Canadian company rewarded 
him handsomely, and his friend accepted the 
position, as they are to push the road as soon 
as spring opens. What will happen to Gor- 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 201 

don next is in the hands of fate.” And she 
gave a short laugh. 

“ A fine business man seems to be lost in 
him,” Mrs. Yarrow said thoughtfully. 

“ Oh, his heart and soul are in his profes- 
sion. He almost grudged the year given to 
his studies. But he had rushed through the 
three years so rapidly that there were a few 
more matters in which he wanted to be pro- 
ficient. There you have the whole story. I 
have not even confided my doubts to my dear- 
est friend. Miss Craven.” 

“ Then I ought to feel flattered. But I 
think you look a little on the wrong side of 
things. I confess I did not approve of your 
engagement, at first. I wanted you to be in 
the very forefront when you married.” 

‘‘ You are very happy,” Helen said abruptly. 

Yes. A woman can love as well in the 
thirties as in the twenties. She knows better 
what will satisfy her, she understands her 
needs. Mind, I do not mean the tired out 
woman who grasps at a home and a chance 
of rest. But when you have gained many 
things and gone up some steps on the ladder. 


202 HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 

you settle to a curious satisfaction that is only 
disturbed now and then when you long for 
intimate companionship; for something cer- 
tain, restful; a friend to whom you can pour 
out your whole heart; that you can read with, 
talk to. Your women friends marry, some 
of them take up fads that bore you. They 
have outgrown the poets you still love, or they 
drop into the new mysticisms that seem far- 
fetched and useless. We all change a good 
deal before we get to a secure anchorage. I 
had a good salary, a fine position, travel when 
I wanted it; and then the Professor crossed 
my path and we found so many points of agree- 
ment, of sympathy. And it merged into love 
— ^marriage. Some one has said, ‘ Happiness 
and misery may be applied to all women, but 
most happy and most miserable belong to the 
married state.’ I have been ‘ most happy,’ 
thus far. What I gave up has been returned 
fourfold in different ways.” 

She was holding her baby in her arms, now 
and then kissing its tiny fingers. She still had 
the delightful, intellectual college atmosphere; 
the fervor, eagerness, and vim of young girl 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 203 

life; and they took on new beauty in the 
pretty home where she was mistress. Some 
of the girls, in Helen’s time, wondered how 
fervently Professor Yarrow could love. 
Helen knew now that there were different 
kinds of fervor, and that the quiet kind did 
not lack depth. 

You had some fine years of single life, 
you really were ready to marry,” she said, in a 
retrospective manner. “ And I must wait until 
I am ready. No one can blame me for that.” 

‘‘ Do not marry until you can take another 
life into your keeping and do full justice to 
it. Half love is starvation to both.” 

On the whole, Helen was glad she had laid 
the vague perplexities before her friend and 
thus given them a definite shape. Must she 
strive to overcome them ? or should she let them 
overcome her? 

She had promised her friend Leslie a few 
days, and the time was going fast. Helen 
thought it always did with her. The visit had 
been delightful. There were evenings when 
they had discussed old poets and new ones, 
some of the stirring questions of the day, and 


204 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

a few of the new novels. She felt the richer 
for her visit, though she had met only a few 
of the older girls. 

‘‘ I shall want to see you again and again, 
Helen,” her friend said. “ Next winter we 
may have a meeting in New York. And you 
must come when you can.” 

It has been a great treat,” Professor 
Yarrow added as he put her into the coach. 
“ We shall never forget you, Helen Grant.” 

She liked his soft, tender eyes so much. 
They had a smile in them when he looked at 
his wife or kissed his babies. His wife was 
very happy. Well, her life had been useful 
and enjoyable, rich in many things, and now 
joyous in motherhood. One’s heart need not 
grow old. 

Mr. Morse and his sister were at the station 
to meet her. It seemed as if he had not 
changed at all, but she had grown undeniably 
older, though there were no careworn lines 
in her face, which held its fine, vivid interest. 

“ It is only a little walk,” he said, “ but we 
will have a boy carry your suitcase. Here, 
Jemmy, take this up to the rectory.” 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 205 

Jemmy nodded, and showed a row of beauti- 
ful, even teeth against the red, smiling lips. 

“ I need not say that we are glad to get 
you here. Leslie was afraid it would rain, 
or that some special treat would be planned 
for to-day.” 

‘‘ Oh, no ! I think I should have come in 
spite of a little rain or a gentle snow. How 
queer it seems to see bare ground everywhere ! 
There has hardly been snow enough for a 
snowballing match.” 

“We are having a very mild winter, and 
it is good for the poor. Now and then Prov- 
idence gets round to them.” 

No, it was not a pretty town. There were 
three or four big factories belching out smoke. 
The houses had a grimy aspect, the sidewalks 
were irregular, some of the gutters filled with 
refuse. Then they turned into a cleaner 
street, but the houses still had a dingy appear- 
ance. Here was a little rise of ground on 
which the church stood. A row of better 
houses ran each way, and one of these had 
been freshly painted. The pickets of the 
small courtyard were in good order, the path 


2o6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Up to the house paved, and there had been 
flower-beds on both sides. 

Leslie ran out with a glad cry. 

It is only the gatekeeper’s lodge,” said 
Mr. Morse. We have no grandeur, but it is 
prettier in summer.” 

It was homelike inside, with a great wood 
fire burning on the wide hearth; the soft wood- 
brown rug, with bits of green here and there; 
the big davenport in green corduroy; the white 
curtains; the library case that held the mis- 
cellaneous books; and the few ornaments that 
had mostly been gifts. 

“ I wanted you to come so much,” Leslie 
said, ‘‘ and you’ve never been before, though 
it seems to me you have been half round the 
world.” 

“ But this is the first time I have been back 
to college. All their ‘ days ’ and anniversaries 
and celebrations come in our busiest times, and 
I can’t run away.” 

Oh, how bright and well you look ! I 
think you have grown taller. Now you must 
sit down and let me wait upon you. It is a 
rather roundabout journey, and after you 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 207 

leave Abingdon there are no drawing-room 
cars.” 

“ But it was very comfortable and I am not 
at all tired.” 

Leslie would take her coat and hat, and put 
her in the low rocker. Mr. Morse mended the 
fire and then went out of the room, while the 
three all seemed to talk at once, Helen answer- 
ing first one and then the other. 

Leslie’s face and voice were alike joyous. 
Certainly she was a happy wife, if the sur- 
roundings were not all one could desire. They 
talked of the class girls. She had visited 
Lorraine, who was delightfully situated, and 
some of the others. What was Shirley Bell 
doing — writing any more verses? Oh, had 
she two babies? 

And she makes the loveliest mother and 
housekeeper. All the family just adore her. 
So it isn’t always the advanced education that 
counts.” 

Now, I am going out to get the dinner,” 
said Miss Morse, “ and you shall have Helen.” 

She is so good to me, when she comes, that 
I am fairly ashamed to have her do so much. 


208 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

She is the dearest big sister one ever had. We 
all liked her so much in college. Oh, the dear 
old days of study and fun and friendship! 
But most of the old girls are gone. I was 
there at the June Commencement. Several of 
them came back. And how are your friends 
Miss Craven and her two little girls? " 

‘‘Oh, they are young ladies and very nice; 
without any pretense. Then she has adopted the 
most beautiful baby girl, and talks of another." 
“ Isn’t she ever going to get married ? ’’ 

“ She is in a great deal of charity work, and 
keeps so busy; and the two girls have been 
so companionable. She has a lovely home and 
plenty of money." 

Leslie gave a little sigh, then she smiled. 

“ I’ve been very happy, though the town 
and the people are not " — she made a little wry 
face. “ But Edward is so good, — and perhaps 
it is a useful lesson to begin in a parish like 
this. He has done so much for them. Sister 
sometimes tells how rude and rough and care- 
less they were when he first came. But I must 
tell you a secret, though I ought to leave it 
for him, but he doesn’t seem especially glad 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 20g 

about it. We are going away, in the spring, 
to a beautiful town on the Hudson, where we 
can go to New York in a little more than 
an hour. Edward was asked over a year ago, 
but he thought his work wasn’t quite done here, 
and he was training some one to take his place. 
Then they asked him again, in December, and 
he accepted ; but we shall not go until March.” 

‘‘ Why, that is quite delightful. And you 
will be nearer to us all — ^to some old friends, 
at least.” 

I think this was very noble. There were 
seven young men in the seminary who prom- 
ised God, and each other, that they would 
devote seven years to His service among the 
very poorest, and not seek for advancement. 
Three went to the West, one to California 
among the miners, one to North Carolina. 
Then it came out, rather queerly, one fine 
young fellow went to a real New Jersey wilder- 
ness, and in course of time, it came to be a 
fashionable resort. He was here last summer 
and we liked him ever so much. They are not 
willing to let him go. Then Edward came 
here. Margaret has told me what a dreadful 


210 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

place it was. Many of the men worked on 
Sunday or spent the time in rum shops. The 
church was in a sad state.” 

“ Oh, I don’t see how you had the courage 
to come. Did you know ” 

Leslie colored and smiled. ‘‘ It had im- 
proved very much. Edward worked among 
the boys and the young men. And the women 
began to keep their houses cleaner. Then one 
of the big iron men was converted, and stopped 
Sunday work, and found it a great improve- 
ment. Afterwards he repaired the church and 
started a library. The women worked in the 
cloth-mill, and Margaret started a day nursery 
for the poor women who had little babies. 
Oh, yes, he explained it all to me. I could 
have kept on at college and we would still 
have been engaged. I don’t know why,” and 
she colored, “ but he thought I was fitted for 
a minister’s wife. But I preferred to come 
and help him with his work . I loved him very 
much. They were paying him a very fair 
salary then. And, Helen, I have been very 
happy in the work. There are some quite nice 
young women here. They pay better wages, 


A JOY ACROSS DAILY LIVING 211 

SO the women can stay at home. I can see 
the improvement since I have been here.’’ 

Mr. Morse entered and asked about Miss 
Craven and her charming family. “ And do 
you know anything about that young Dan- 
forth? We used to write occasionally. He 
took his degree last summer, passed his theo- 
logical examinations, and went, temporarily, 
to Niagara, rather uncertain what he should 
do afterward.” 

“ He was up in Canada, and has gone to 
Alaska now with a friend.” 

She was glad of the twilight that Leslie 
could not see the flush that went up to the 
edge of her hair. 

“ I hope he will settle to doing a good work 
somewhere, for he is capable of it. We talk 
of the betterment of the world, but there is 
plenty of evil to be rooted out and overcome. 
And he was such an earnest fellow.” 

Then Miss Morse called them in to dinner. 
Helen caught her hand in a fond pressure. 
How much benevolent work she had done out- 
side of teaching ! She was a very happy single 


woman. 


CHAPTER X 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET ? 

In the earlier days, ‘‘ the keeping room,^’ as 
they called it, which was parlor and sitting- 
room, had been divided into two small apart- 
ments. Mr. Morse had them thrown into one, 
the walls tinted, some new windows set, and 
now it wore a very hospitable air. The dining- 
room was comfortably large. Back of it was 
the study and the kitchen. A paved walk ran 
down the side of the house, and here a door 
opened into the study, which they found a 
great convenience. Mr. Morse had two differ- 
ent classes of boys during the week, and the 
older men often dropped in, no longer afraid 
of the parson. 

They were very bright and chatty. A rather 
dull-looking girl waited on them a little awk- 
wardly. The one Leslie had trained, with in- 
finite patience, had married, a bare month ago. 


212 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 213 

and gone to her own home. Oh, how bright 
and cheerful it all was, with a dainty, home- 
like aspect. Leslie’s letters had not been over 
exuberant. 

Afterward some boys came in for a little 
talk and a music practice. They had very 
fine voices, Helen thought. 

You still keep up with some of your old 
studies, especially the music ? ” 

“ Oh, yes, and I have been learning organ 
playing. Then, when sister comes, we talk 
over many of the new things. Edward doesn’t 
believe in dropping down. Sometimes I teach 
a few ambitious girls, but I don’t think we 
shall have many for college. It is not needed 
here. They want the education that will fit 
them for the life they have to live. Not many 
can get out of it, so why make them dis- 
contented, — aspiring after heights they can 
never reach. I know we used to think every- 
body could come up; but they haven’t the 
power. And they wouldn’t like the high places, 
the rarified atmosphere.” 

What a wise little woman you have be- 
come, Leslie. It is fortunate that so many 


214 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

people are fitted for their environment, since 
most of them must stay in it. Oh, do you 
remember those two girls who came from 
upper New York and had been in a corre- 
spondence school ? I suppose the one married 
her minister, but I doubt if she ever construed 
a page of Latin. Yet she probably filled a 
useful sphere.” 

And if her husband had a poor, common 
parish, she would be very nice and friendly, 
no doubt; and she might do much good. 
We are not to despise the day of small 
things.” 

Mr. Morse brought in two boys, almost 
young men, and introduced them. 

Now, we are going to have a little sing- 
ing,” he began with a smile. Miss Grant, 
you are to lend ' the beauty of your voice.’ ” 

Willingly. All the beauty there is of it,” 
with a gay uplook. 

The boys had most promising voices, with 
a certain youthful sweetness. They went over 
some of the beautiful old hymns, as they were 
being trained for the church choir. Leslie 
played. Mr. Morse and his sister led. 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 215 

That is very well done/' commented the 
clergyman. 

“ Do you know any real songs ? " asked one 
of the boys of Helen. Something gay and 
funny?" 

“ School songs and, yes, some of the boys’ 
songs," glancing up at Mr. Morse for approval 
or dissent. 

“ We get a little fresh whiff once in a while, 
but We have been rather serious of late; well, 
not that exactly, but reverent with Christmas 
music. Mrs. Morse, bring out some of the 
gay things." 

Helen turned over the music. There were 
several of the old college songs that had a 
laughing ring in them and took her back to 
other days. And a few of the street songs 
were admissible. 

The boys expressed their delight, and 
thanked them for the treat. They were really 
well-mannered. 

‘‘ Now I think we ought to allow Helen to 
retire," said Miss Morse. ‘‘ You two girls 
can begin your confidences early to-morrow 
morning." 


2i6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ At daylight ? ” asked Helen archly. She 
felt girlish and frivolous. 

The breakfast was not very early, however. 
Helen felt bright and rested. The room was 
comfortably warm and very pleasant, with a 
bit of lazy sunshine peeping in at the east 
window. Oh, here were some of the old pic- 
tures they had had at college! There was 
nothing ornate, yet the very simplicity had a 
charming, home-like air. 

“ You will want to show Miss Grant our 
town, Leslie, and it promises to be fairly pleas- 
ant. I doubt if you are familiar with any- 
thing just like it, but you may have seen iron 
towns. Half a mile below, the mines begin 
and the great smelting furnaces. But we have 
a Promised Land also, beyond the river, acces- 
sible only to those who have made fortunes.” 

They wrapped up and sallied forth. We 
will leave the church until afterward,” said 
Leslie, ‘‘ and go straight down the street.” 

It was a little higher than the real business 
part, and, to the north, some of the old woods 
were still remaining. To the south, chimneys 
and smokestacks, long rambling factories, here 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 217 

and there rows of cottages that, in the winter, 
looked dreary enough. Groups of children 
were playing about them. But for the river 
it would have been most uninviting. 

‘‘ That is Anniston Park. The Annistons 
are mine owners. Further down there are 
coal beds; so you see it was meant, from the 
beginning, for a factory town. The Annis- 
tons, the Greers, and the Baders bought the 
big tract across the river and built themselves 
homes to stay in when they are not south or 
abroad. It is a beautiful picture in the spring 
and summer. There are fine driving roads, 
a splendid park, a pretty theater, a music hall 
and casino. Of course it is all private prop- 
erty, but with a permit you may enjoy it, some- 
times by invitation. But the real living, work- 
ing town is this.’' 

The opposite stretch of ground was on a 
very slight incline, just enough to set off the 
costly houses and magnificent grounds and the 
broad, well-kept streets. Many of the resi- 
dences were closed for the winter. 

‘‘ I wish you could see it in the summer. 
Then it seems a shame for the owners to be 


2i8 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

away so much, and only servants enjoying it 
all. But our town has improved since I came 
here. What it must have been, seven years 
ago, when Mr. Morse first came ! ” 

“You will be glad to go away?” Helen 
said in a decided yet questioning tone. 

“ It would be hardly true to say that I would 
not. But if it was our duty to stay I should 
content myself. There is so much work to 
do. And oh, Helen, I have been very happy.” 

She raised her sweet eyes, and her cheeks 
were glowing. Was it love that rendered her 
so serene? 

“ What puzzles me is — why Miss Morse al- 
ways seemed so content; and, Leslie, your hus- 
band is a gentleman. Think how he was ad- 
mired at college ! How he could choose this 
place ” 

“ You know I said that all of the seven 
had resolved to do missionary work. You 
don’t have to go to India or China for it,” 
with her sweet, upward look. 

“ It was very noble in them.” 

“ It was Christian,” returned Leslie rever- 
ently. “ Of course there were several churches 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 2ig 

here — quite a large Roman Catholic church, 
and a Welsh Chapel, where once a month there 
is a service in that language. Husband has 
built a chapel farther down in the town, and 
the young man there is an excellent worker. 
So is the Mr. Provost, who is coming here. 
He has a wife and two sons, one of them 
bookkeeper in a factory. The new streets are 
wider, with a better kind of houses built on 
them. But there are still too many shanties, 
and now the Slavs and Polacks are crowding 
in, though they go more down towards the 
coal and iron mines. 

The factory bells began to ring for noon. 
Crowds of people poured out, the streets were 
thronged, and there was a babel of voices, 
laughs, chaffing, arguments with a doubled-up 
fist that seemed as if it might strike, but did 
not. 

‘‘ Oh, I did not think it was so late. How 
cold and cloudy it is growing,” and they turned. 

It was cheery enough inside. Mr. Morse 
asked what they had seen, and was glad there 
had been a sufficient concourse of people to 
prove they were an active and thriving town. 


220 HELEN GRANT’s HARVEST YEAR 

It began to snow presently, in a sullen and 
half-hearted manner. Mr. Morse had to make 
some calls on sick people and was desirous 
of getting it over before the storm grew worse. 
The ladies talked of the new parish. 

“ I think brother has done his full duty here 
and has not been impatient for the call to come 
up higher. But I was heartsick for him when 
I first came here. There had been no regular 
minister for some months. The church was 
dilapidated, and the house — ^well, I had never 
seen anything like it. I spent one vacation 
trying to get it decent and comfortable. And 
now we shall leave it quite inviting for the 
next comer.” 

“ I don’t quite understand how you could 
have lived among these people and — well, not 
dropped down. Oh, Miss Morse, you were 
always so sweet and ladylike.” 

“ But I didn’t really live here. I had to 
keep the atmosphere — shall we say of courts? ” 
laughing, for the young ladies whose right 
was to the best. Isn’t it our duty to make 
religion lovely? We have no right to drag 
it down.” 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 221 

Helen studied her friend. The sweet face 
had grown nobler. She had taken up the 
duties of life as they came to her, the duties 
she had accepted when she accepted her lover. 
How cheerful her letters had been — telling of 
incidents, sometimes pathetic, at others trying 
or mirthful. Always with serene content as if 
nothing were lacking. 

The snow did not amount to much, but it 
grew colder. However, it was clear the next 
morning, and Mr. Morse took them out in a 
carriage that Helen might see the extent of 
the hives of industry, glad that he and 
others who had the good work at heart had 
abolished some of the squalor and ignor- 
ance. 

“ There was a terrible strike the first winter 
I was here,’’ he said, ‘‘ and many died of sheer 
starvation. There was fault on both sides, but 
those who had the power might have prevented 
some of the evils. There came to be a better 
feeling when it was all settled, and they found 
that half-fed men could not make strong and 
useful workmen. But I don’t wonder that 
their souls burn with a great sense of wrong 


222 HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 

that they cannot put into just words without 
anger, when they see the luxury over the river 
that goes to waste, while the ones for whom 
it is planned are pleasuring in foreign lands. 
Some day it will be clearer still, I hope; for 
we all know this is not the will of God, but 
the greed of man.” 

They were much interested in Helen’s ex- 
periences. She spoke lightly, briefly of Gor- 
don Danforth. How had she ever confessed 
the story to Mrs. Yarrow, she wondered! 
Sometime, when the sky was less troubled, 
she could confide in Leslie, remembering 
how she had shared her secret. Yet it 
had not been a real love-confession to Mrs. 
Yarrow. They were so interested in her 
experiences they hardly thought of other 
happenings. 

“ You certainly displayed good courage,” 
said Miss Morse, yet it was what I should 
have expected of you. And I think you really 
were too young to decide so large, and perhaps 
uncertain a question as that at Athol. I’m 
very proud when our girls succeed outside of 
assistantships, when they are thrown on their 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 223 

own judgment. Yet I almost hoped you would 
come back to us.’' 

“ Oh, Professor Gates called one evening 
and thought I had made a great mistake not 
to go on with astronomy,” she began in a tone 
of amusement. “ I had almost forgotten I had 
been such an apt scholar.” 

“Very few girls go deeply into the study; 
not many are capable of it.” 

“ And Professor Blake was quite delight- 
ful. He hunted up the record of that Miss 
Carr — can you recall her ? ” 

“ That quite dreadful body that you suc- 
ceeded in metamorphosing as to clothes, and 
charmed her when she was ill? How is she 
doing? ” 

“ She made a change, at the beginning of 
the school year, that was very much for the 
better. I think she will save up enough to 
keep her in her old age without so much pinch- 
ing. I wish she would write to me. There 
was a girl something like her at Mrs. Aldred’s, 
and now she is a settled physician in upper 
New York and has a sort of hospital where 
she takes in children — mostly the poor — and 


224 HELEN GRANT's HARVEST YEAR 

cares for them. A friend keeps the house. 
And I heard that a young doctor was angry 
because she would not marry him.’' 

Mr. Morse laughed. Margaret said : 
‘‘ Women are showing the world how useful 
they can be.” 

Then Helen recounted her hearing Miss 
Trevor, and recapitulated some of her argu- 
ments. 

“ She is right about the early marriages. 
You have to take the word of the young couple, 
and almost any friend will vouch for them. 
Then the foreigners often marry their girls 

I 

of fourteen to some old man, and he misuses 
them terribly. There are so many wrongs to 
be righted that one gets disheartened. And 
the innocent little children are the worst suffer- 
ers. Why, Miss Grant, you have had a variety 
of experiences for one so young,” said Mr. 
Morse, with a touch of admiration in his tone. 

I am so fond of the lives of other people. 
Is it interest or curiosity ? ” 

“ You can’t help being interested when you 
have lived with so many girls,” commented 
Leslie. 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 225 

They were very loath to have Helen go 
when her time was up. But she needed a 
day or two to settle herself, she declared. And 
when she visited them again, which must surely 
be next summer, they would be in their new 
and more agreeable home. 

Still, I am very glad for you to have seen 
this, unpromising as it is in some respects. 
And Leslie has made one of the loveliest of 
wives,'’ Miss Morse confessed. Brother has 
been fortunate, for I do not think ministers 
always choose wisely." 

Yes, it had been a delightful visit, Helen 
thought as she was settled in the train. Could 
she have contented herself in such a repugnant, 
discordant place? Could she work amid such 
squalor and ignorance? No, she could not; 
let her confess it. Then Leslie must be capa- 
ble of a higher and finer love. Mr. Morse was 
a charming and refined gentleman, and the 
coarseness of it all was shut out of the home. 
But over beyond was beauty and luxury. Did 
she never sigh for it? 

Well, God had this better thing in store for 
her, unknown to her, while she was accepting, 


226 HELEN GRANT’s HARVEST YEAR 
with a sweet patience, all the distastefulness 
of this life. 

And if Gordon had his heart set on some 
far off missionary work — — 

She stepped out of the train. A man who 
had left the down train glanced about, curious 
to see if any one he knew was leaving this 
one. Oh, yes; there was Miss Grant back 
from her holiday, when she could have re- 
mained a day longer. He held out his hand. 

“ Oh, Mr. Briggs ! ’’ she exclaimed in a 
pleased tone. 

‘‘ I am glad to meet you. I suppose you 
have had a nice time ” 

‘^Yes; at my old college, and then with a 
college mate who married a clergyman. It has 
been very pleasant.” 

He nodded as if it afforded him satisfac- 
tion. 

‘‘ So we will begin our daily duties again on 
Monday. It may seem queer, but Fm always 
glad to get back to school. And, Miss Grant, 
your friend and pupil is giving excellent satis- 
faction. She has the making of a good 
teacher, due to your training.” 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 227 

‘‘ And her ability? She taught in a country 
school before she came here.” 

'' Oh, I can see some of your ideas in 
her, good ones, too. And the boys we sent 
like the high school so much, though they 
are in a great hurry to get up to your 
classes.” 

‘‘ I am glad to hear that. Thank you for 
all the nice things you have been saying.” 

I didn’t mean them to be merely nice. I’m 
not very much given to compliments,” laugh- 
ing. “ Oh, Miss Grant, you haven’t forgotten 
that your talk comes on Friday night? You 
ought to have something interesting for us. I 
shall be sure to come. Good-by,” and he 
turned off. 

Why, she had almost forgotten. She had 
been thinking so much about herself in quite 
another direction. Something new seemed 
to possess her, and she could not define it 
clearly. 

As she turned up the street leading to Mrs. 
Stirling’s, there was a sudden rush, an arm 
thrown around her, and a face pressed close 
against hers, glowing in spite of the cold. 


228 HELEN GRANT’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ Oh, my dear Miss Grant ! Fve just come 
from Mrs. Stirling’s, and I was so disappointed 
at not finding you home, for I ran over with 
such glorious news! And I promised to be 
back for an art gathering to-night, and I do 
suppose ril be just overwhelmed. Fve taken 
the prize!” 

“ Oh, Roslyn ! ” Helen kissed her. They 
had been cordial friends all the autumn. Helen 
had found more leisure to indulge in friend- 
ships. And she had been interested in the 
courage and good sense in which Roslyn pur- 
sued her art work. 

‘‘One hundred dollars; think of it! And 
do you remember the little turn you suggested 
about the spray falling over the bird’s nest, and 
the coloring? That was spoken of, and I feel 
as if the prize was half yours.” 

“ Oh, no, no ! ” protestingly. 

“ It was such a surprise ! And you know 
they were at liberty to take any of the draw- 
ings; and the utmost I hoped was that they 
would select mine for one. But that it should 
take the first prize! Geraldine Stacy’s took 
the second, and she is a real artist and took 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 229 

one of Prang’s prizes. I couldn’t believe it 
at first.” 

‘‘ My dear girl ! I am so glad for you.” 

Helen recalled the time when she had taken 
the class prize, and the tears of joy for this 
other girl rushed to her eyes. 

‘‘ Oh, I must not miss my train, but I’m 
just full of delight to have you know it the 
first one outside of my own folks. I shall 
be back to-morrow. Can I come up in the 
evening and talk to you ? ” 

“ Oh, yes; I shall be delighted.” 

Then, with another rapturous kiss, Roslyn 
ran down the street. 

Helen drew a long breath of pure pleasure. 
Had she helped, ever so little? These two 
greetings were so unexpected. She was going 
home to duty. Oh, there were times when 
duty blossomed out. It seemed, then, that 
there had been many such times in her life. 

Mrs. Stirling and Lilian had a warm greet- 
ing for her. '' Miss Millard has been here to 
see you about something special, I think, for 
she seemed so disappointed. And she had to 
go back to New York,” announced Lilian. 


230 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Yes, I met her,” returned Helen. 

“ Oh, I’m glad you did. And I dare say 
you had a lovely time back there at college. 
Are you tired to death ? ” 

Oh, no. I’ll just run upstairs and then 
come to supper, for I am positively hungry.” 

“ I am glad of that, for we have some of 
Jane’s lovely rye bread that you like so much.” 

I’ve lighted your lamp. I felt sure you 
would come,” Lilian declared. 

The girl had grown so thoughtful for her. 
The room was warm and inviting. She laid 
down her satchel, took off her wraps, fairly 
scrubbed her face after the long journey. Yes, 
she would change her dusty frock and put on 
the soft gray silk they liked so well. The pile 
of letters on the table did not distress her; 
she felt curiously light-hearted. 

They wanted to hear about her journey. 
Not much had happened at Westfield — one 
marriage and a few parties. The Underwoods 
had taken a trip to Old Point Comfort. Mr. 
Henley had been ill with bronchitis.” 

He is getting to be quite an old man,” said 
Mrs. Stirling. 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 23 1 

Helen recounted the pleasures of her two 
visits that were so full of college remem- 
brances, and talked of her pretty friend, Leslie, 
who was making such a fine minister’s wife, 
amid surroundings that might dishearten other 
women. 

“ And she has all her college learning. 
What good does it do there?” 

“ All her life has not gone. And the place 
has improved. Then, they may go elsewhere. 
Mr. Morse is doing a splendid work, even if 
it does not show.” 

“ I am so glad to live in Westfield, and up 
here in the pretty part, too,” said Lilian em- 
phatically. ‘‘ But there is getting to be a good 
deal of the common element down below; we 
see it in the children. Though I think the big 
boys were pretty bad up here that first year. 
And some of the scholars have been sent home 
to be made clean. I just hate dirt and bad 
smells. My class are pretty fair, though. And 
you wouldn’t believe how crazy the older pupils 
are to get into the high school. They think 
it a sort of fairyland,” and Lilian laughed. 

Some neighbors dropped in to see if Miss 


232 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Grant had really come. And, at last, she went 
to her room and her letters. It seemed as if 
they were from everybody; even Mrs. Yarrow 
had sent a closely written missive, and Helen 
almost guessed what it was about. It was too 
long to read to-night. There was the merry 
Christmas at Kingsland. Juliet had asked ten 
of the girls in the Working Woman’s Home, 
who had no friends to go to, and they had 
enjoyed the feast and the music afterward. 
They liad a fine new organist, who, with his 
mother, had just moved into the place. 

She looked at the clock, and then at Gordon’s 
thick letter. She had teased him a little about 
writing exuberant letters, and made her many 
duties an excuse for her briefer ones. Yet 
there was a little curiosity, and she took up 
the first sheet. She had heard, in a previous 
letter, that they had reached their journey’s 
end. 

It was a marvelous country, he wrote, rich 
in almost all of Nature’s products. Fortunes 
were made and lost; there was gambling and 
murder, thievery on all sides. But what could 
one expect when the offscourings of the cities 


WILL LOVE AND DUTY MEET? 233 

drifted hither! There were fine men develop- 
ing opportunities that seemed like pages out of 
the “ Arabian Nights.” 

This particular enterprise had in it two of 
Mr, Hildreth’s friends, who saw the way to a 
fortune and a wonderful development of the 
country. He had assisted somewhat with 
money, but mostly because he knew they were 
upright, honest men, longing to retrieve, in a 
persevering manner, some rebuffs of fortune. 
There had come to them a young man, well 
fitted for their needs, who had used Mr. Hil- 
dreth’s name as that of a friend, but without 
any special recommendation. If they had 
made inquiries at first, Mr. Hildreth must have 
told that he had once saved him from prison 
out of a sincere pity for one so young, and a 
belief in his protestations of reform. When 
he did hear, it seemed ungenerous to disturb 
existing relations, and now he had disappeared, 
not only with considerable money but with a 
very valuable deed. He had frequented a 
notorious gambling house, and was a heavy 
player, they heard. 

The money loss they could recoup, but some 


234 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

improper use might be made of the deed that 
would work them much injury. 

“ There is also another warrant out against 
the young man for forgery. Fortunately, the 
check was repudiated in time ; but these parties 
were swindled in the beginning and are doing 
their best to have him caught. Not yet thirty 
and willing to throw up the best chances of 
life for a little gratification of evil! The in- 
gratitude has stung Mr. Hildreth keenly. Are 
there people one cannot reform? I begin to 
think so. He is so noble and upright himself, 
he is so ready to assist one in trouble. And 
now he must stay a while, until his friends are 
out of the muddle.” 

She did not need, this time, to accuse him of 
exuberance. Indeed, it was not a love letter 
at all. More than ever he was roused at the 
thought of the great work to be done in the 
world. Would he choose some out-of-the-way 
corner in which to do it? Yet Leslie was 
happy in her out-of-the-way corner. 


CHAPTER XI 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 

Saturday was really a reception day for 
Helen. Mr. Underwood was up in the morn- 
ing, declaring he was not able to rest until he 
knew certainly whether her college had won 
her back or if some other important post had 
been offered to her. 

Oh, I am not in such great demand as you 
seem to think. I have had no offers during 
vacation, not even an offer of marriage,” 
though she colored a little as she said that, 
and they both laughed. 

Mrs. Underwood wanted her to come down 
to dinner. Dining out on Saturday was get- 
ting to be one of the fashionable fads, a genial 
old fashion revived. There were so many 
things to talk over. 

‘‘ And Laura never squeezed you dry. 
That’s not elegant, but it’s a solid fact. You 
possess a perpetual newness for her.” 

235 


236 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

I’m glad she doesn’t tire of me. Isn’t life 
new almost every day?” 

“ Well — some days it is the same old grind,” 
and he drew down his brows in a funny half 
frown. I wonder what it will be to you at 
forty?” 

Forty! ” she ejaculated in surprise. 

‘‘ Oh, are you thinking of dying at thirty- 
nine? Why, Miss Parker counts on seventy, 
at least. And I may last until eighty, unless 
you leave me in the lurch.” 

They both laughed at that. 

Several other invitations came. Was she 
really so well liked ? Then she had won some- 
thing worth while. 

Dick Eastman and Larry were her late 
afternoon callers. Larry well and manly and 
full of eager pride. Dick began to look quite 
like his olden self — ^but a better, nobler self. 
His thin face was filling out, and his beautiful 
eyes had a fine uplift in them. Larry was 
gay with boyish enthusiasm. If he kept on 
as well, he was sure of a promotion next year. 
The bank had given him ten dollars for Christ- 
mas, and his father ten dollars more, besides 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 237 

various useful things. And on New Year’s 
eve, Dick’s mother had given him a grand 
party, much to her own satisfaction. There 
were getting to be such a nice circle of young 
people in Westfield. And the boys had been 
forming a debating society, to take up civic 
questions and, especially, the improvement of 
their own town. 

And we are so glad to have you back,’* 
declared Larry enthusiastically. What a lot 
of muffs and roughs we would have been with- 
out you ! ” 

She colored and laughed. 

“ There are two volumes of poems upstairs 
on my table, for which I must thank you; 
and I shall do it in a better way than this 
when I get a little time. You could not 
have given me anything that I should prize 
more.” 

Both boys flushed with pleasure. 

“ So I really have sown some good seed,” 
she said to herself. “ I don’t think I need to 
be afraid of that harvest.” 

Then, in the evening, Roslyn and Allen Mil- 
lard came. The boy was growing nicely and 


238 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

taking much care to overcome his lameness, 
though he was rather delicate-looking. 

“ I had the grandest time last night ! ” began 
Roslyn. ‘‘ You know, I never set up for a 
great genius. But I do love all the nice, dainty 
kinds of art work, and I could have steady 
employment at retouching and coloring photo- 
graphs, with a good salary. And IVe done 
some acceptable designing for children’s books, 
and sold several very pretty flower pieces. And 
the Corby brothers took some of my designs 
for cards. But this was the cap sheaf, you 
know ; and they made such a fuss over me that 
I felt almost ridiculous. Miss Chalford, who 
doesn’t do anything under five hundred, was 
so sweet and nice to me, and said those things 
were the more remarkable because they won 
their way against so many competitors. Then 
Mr. Everest asked me to come down to their 
publishing house some day and see the firm; 
they might like me to do something; they pub- 
lish so many children’s books. Well, it almost 
turned my head,” and she gave a merry laugh. 
‘‘ I’d been to the receptions before, but I never 
had such a grand time ! And I feel now as if 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 239 

I was fairly in the swim, though I know I shall 
never do any wonderful thing. But you have 
been such a nice friend. And you have en- 
couraged Allen so much.” 

“ And father says I shall go to college if I 
want to be a professor of any branch. I like 
literature so much; I am just going to do my 
best. Oh, Miss Grant, won’t you be proud 
of us? ” 

Allen uttered it so naively that she smiled. 
Would she be here when they were all going 
to college? 

They were two such happy people that her 
spirits rose with them. Ah, it wasn’t always 
the large things of life that gave most sat- 
isfaction ! 

Lilian was much interested in Miss Millard’s 
success, and thought that to be able to draw 
anything beautiful was genius itself. 

“ And at first,” said she in an amused tone, 
‘‘ I thought I should never get those trigo- 
nometry things correct. Industrial drawing 
bothers me to death. I’m glad I shall not have 
to teach it. But some of the kindergarten chil- 
dren do wonderful work.” 


240 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Isn’t it odd,” began Roslyn, ‘‘ how much 
good work is done in the world, yet how little 
that is high and grand! But I suppose there 
is a great demand for it or it would not be 
done. Yet you continually hear so much ad- 
vice about not lowering your ideals.” 

“ I think that relates more truly to moral 
and spiritual ideas. If you can keep those 
true you will always do your best work in 
whatever comes to hand, and not be sighing 
for the unattainable,” returned Helen. 

“ I’m going to keep mine high, even at the 
risk of being laughed at,” declared Allen. 

‘‘ And we must go, dear,” said his sister. 
‘‘ I’m so glad and happy, and I am going to 
take it as an omen for the New Year. I have 
a lot of work ahead, and I do hope. Miss 
Grant, that the children will do you an im- 
mense deal of credit this year.” 

Thank you I ” Helen returned warmly. 

Her Saturday dinner with the Underwoods 
was rather piquant. Laura had a bright 
fashion of setting out the fads and follies of 
the life of to-day and wondering what would 
come next. 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 24I 

“ I used to think Fd like to be in the whirl; 
but when you realize that you become a dress- 
maker’s sign, to exploit new ideas that shall 
enrich manufacturers by the continual changes, 
and get Madame So-and-so’s taste talked about 
— or Worth, or Paquin — and that you must 
seem to spend more money than your neighbor, 
it does seem ridiculous — now, doesn’t it ? 
Where is the opportunity for any real life? 
Husband, are we getting old and queer? ” 

He gave a shrug of the shoulders and 
laughed. 

‘‘ And what do you suppose took Mr. 
Hildreth out to Alaska?” she went on. 
‘‘ Surely he has money enough to last his time 
out.” 

‘‘ He had never been to Alaska.” 

“ Well, neither have we. And I shouldn’t 
take the winter for the journey.” 

‘‘ I think there was some business. I hope 
he will not stay a great while. He is my right- 
hand man,” said the principal. 

Helen felt that she had no right to discuss 
the business, so she said brightly, ‘‘ Of course 
you can recall Roslyn Millard ? ” 


242 HELEN GRANT’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘'Why, yes; the sort-of-artist girl who is 
working in New York.” 

“ Who has a studio. Be artistic,” said his 
wife. “ She is doing very well, her mother 
thinks, and really takes care of herself. That 
is more than some of the sons do.” 

“ And she has won the first prize in the card 
contest. One hundred dollars.” 

“ Oh, Miss Grant ! I wish she had been a 
high school graduate.” 

“ Well — there is Larry Dinsmore — we will 
be proud of him if he keeps honest. And 
Benson is trying bookkeeping, giving good 
satisfaction. And the judge’s daughter 
married. That ought to comfort us until 
next June.” 

“ But the verse-writing girl — Miss Winters? 
I thought she was to have a volume published.” 

Mr. Underwood raised his brows a trifle, 
and looked at Helen comically. 

“ Harry White means to go to college and 
study law. Mark Henderson will go when his 
time comes, and I think Archie Varick.” 

“ Dick, of course. Did you ever see such 
a change in a fellow? Well, I am glad we 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 243 

conquered the three worst boys of the Ridge- 
wood school; Miss Grant, the credit is due 
to you.” 

Oh, not all.” 

“Yes, why not accept it gracefully? And 
you told me once you didn’t like boys.” 

“ I’ve been converted since then,” she 
laughed. 

“ Dick’s mother is trying to regain her old 
influence over him, which was foolishly in- 
dulgent. She gave him a big party. It seems 
to me some of the men have changed — im- 
proved as well. The new blood has helped. 
Some day people will quote us as a model 
town.” 

Helen spent the evening with the Deans and 
made them very happy. Then, on Monday, 
school began. She was very glad to be at her 
post, and the welcomes were warm. 

The winter had been mild, so far, but now 
there came a terrific snow storm, lasting two 
nights and one day, and surprising the oldest 
inhabitants. The boys were wild. Such snow- 
balling matches! Even some of the fathers 
joined in. 


244 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

We ought to build a snow fort and have 
a regular Indian skirmish.” 

That was hailed with a war-whoop. Could 
they have it done by Saturday ? There was a 
big, vacant space, a short distance from the 
school, if the yard was not considered large 
enough. 

At it they went with great vigor. Even 
the girls helped some, for there really had 
not been any great out-of-door fun. Skating 
had been poor. 

“ What do you suppose I had better talk 
about?” Helen asked Mr. Underwood. 

“ Why, your journey abroad, of course.” 

‘‘ But so many people travel.” 

“ Not so many from Westfield. I wish you 
had seen a ball game, or a rowing match on 
the Thames.” 

“ I couldn’t describe the ball match. I even 
get tangled up when I see it, though we did 
try it a little.” 

Mr. Underwood laughed at that. 

“ And won’t the audience think that I 
want to put my own doings in the fore- 
front?” 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 245 

Oh, no. You’ll do well enough at that. 
Do not fear.” 

She looked out at the boys beginning their 
work but stopping occasionally to throw a 
snowball that exploded in a misty shower. A 
wild desire flashed over her to be out with 
them; boys did have such natural fun, the 
eager, riotous blood leaping to the fore. She 
walked slowly down the court, some of the 
girls huddling about her. 

‘‘ Miss Grant ! Miss Grant ! won’t you come 
to our battle Saturday afternoon ? ” shouted 
Archie Varick. 

She nodded and waved her hand. 

Mrs. Stirling and Lilian went down to the 
school on Friday evening. The walking was 
very trying. They had taken one of the reci- 
tation rooms, but before the hour arrived, they 
found it too small. Helen was surprised at 
the turn-out, and, for a few moments, rather 
nervous. 

Meta Coursen played an inspiriting over- 
ture, then Helen began to talk. In her mind, 
she saw a series of pictures — she always did, 
in describing anything — and she had the curi- 


246 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

ous magnetism that made others see it as well. 
In all this there was no obtrusive personality. 

They crowded about her afterward. ‘‘ How 
delightful it must have been, Miss Grant ! You 
do make one see things! Some people talk 
just as if they were reading out of a book,” 
said a neighbor. 

Why, I feel as if I had been to London 
myself,” declared Mrs. Dean. “ I thought, 
first, I couldn’t come, but father insisted. 
What an awful storm we have had I ” 

So it was, all the way out to the street. 
Then Mr. Underwood took possession of 
her. 

Do you know, or realize, that you have 
an unusual gift for speaking. Miss Grant? 
Why, even I could have listened full ten min- 
utes longer and not been weary I ” She felt 
the laugh in his voice. I shall send in your 
name as a speaker for the next Institute 
Meeting.” 

‘‘ Oh! no; don’t. For some one would want 
me at once, and I should break your heart if 
I went away. But I’m glad I pleased you and 
the others. I didn’t expect half such a crowd.” 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 247 

‘‘ Nor I, either. Pleasant dreams of future 
fame ! ” 

“ Thank you. Good-night.” 

‘‘ I feel, like Mrs. Dean, as if I had been 
there myself,” said Mrs. Stirling. “ Are you 
not tired? You must have a cup of tea.” 

“ That sounds very English. Lilian, can we 
get up spunk enough to go down to the fight 
to-morrow ? ” 

‘‘ Oh, I shall be glad to,” with delight in 
her tone. 

The fort had no roof, of course. There was 
one wide entrance. The boys had poured water 
over the outside before they left school the 
night before, and the sun had not melted all 
of the glistening coat. 

“ Boys ! ” began Mr. Underwood, no un- 
necessary roughness; no broken noses or black 
eyes. Remember, it is pure fun.” 

Mr. Boyd had been giving them lessons in 
boxing and wrestling. There were to be seven 
in each party; one had possession of the fort, 
and the others would try to oust them. They 
had drawn lots, and the Redmen were the suc- 
cessful ones. They wore their red sweaters 


248 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

and a red band on their caps. The others had 
a blue badge. They were quite evenly matched 
as to size, though there had been some heart- 
burning about that. Cold as it was, there was 
quite a concourse of lookers-on, largely school 
children, but there were some of the men as 
well. Seats had been carried out of the 
assembly room for the ladies. 

What a silly lot we are ! ” said Mrs. Un- 
derwood. “ There is no country, or principle, 
to gain, and here we are, taking sides as if 
between friends and enemies. Miss Grant, 
which is yours?’' 

“ Why, I think if the Modocks gain the fort, 
they will — well, they will prove their prowess 
more thoroughly than by merely holding it.” 

“ I want the Redmen to win,” exclaimed 
Edna March, ‘‘ because my brother is one of 
them.” 

“ Honest, at least,” laughed Meta Hender- 
son. My brother is in the attacking party, 
so my hopes and desires are on that side.” 

They had stuck branches all around the top 
of the fort to make it look like a stockade. 
The Modocks came on with a wild war-whoop 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 249 

and in a moment there was a crowd of strug- 
gling boys, fairly rending the air with shouts 
and yells that would have done credit to real 
Indians. 

Richard Eastman stood back of Helen. 
There was a glow in his eyes and a flush on 
his cheeks, and he watched intently. Helen 
glanced up appreciatively. 

“ Oh ! Miss Grant,’’ he cried in a low tone ; 
“ it makes a fellow mad to think what he has 
thrown away just for self-will and pig-headed- 
ness, and that he has shut himself out of the 
best fun boys have! Yes, I want to be in the 
thick of the fray. I’m dead tired of being a 
‘ Miss Nancy.’ ” 

“ It is hard,” she returned gently. “ But 
we all honor your patience.” 

There was a tremendous shout. The Mo- 
docks had two Redmen and were carrying them 
off. They had no right to join in the fray 
again until they were exchanged. And now, 
there were five left in the fort. 

They paused for a breathing space, amid 
the plaudits of the spectators; then they made 
another onslaught. This time the Redmen dis- 


250 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

abled two of their adversaries, and lost another 
man. 

“ But the Modocks will win. The Redmen 
have only four warriors left." 

But they are among the best," declared 
Allen Millard. 

And the “ best " stood their ground so 
bravely that it seemed as if neither would 
win; but presently the Redmen took another 
prisoner. 

‘‘ Oughtn't we to exchange ? " 

‘‘ No, no ! " thundered a chorus of voices, 
and at it they went again. 

Two of the Redmen were overpowered, and 
a great shout went up as the prisoners marched 
out. They did not seem altogether disheart- 
ened, and began to chaff with the girls. But 
it was a foregone conclusion, after that, though 
the struggle was bravely contested, and soon 
the last Redman was marched out, and the 
Modocks were in possession of the fort. They 
came to the entrance and gave a ringing 
hurrah ! " to which the audience responded. 

‘‘ Now let's have it over again ! " 

“ No," exclaimed Mr. Boyd. This is 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 25 1 

enough for one afternoon. And there is an- 
other part of the prpgramme, I believe. The 
enemies are to clasp hands in amity, and Mrs. 
Bradley has been making some coffee in the 
school kitchen and begs you to come in out 
of the cold, and warm up. And I believe there 
is some sleigh riding on the tapis.’' 

A tremendous cheer went up, and they were 
crowding into the room, snuffing up the fra- 
grance of the coffee, when the jingling of bells 
smote on their ears. Mr. Eastman and Mr. 
Henderson had planned the impromptu ride. 
Martin had come down with Mr. Hildreth’s big 
sleigh; the one at the livery, used for taking 
out parties, had been engaged; and there were 
various smaller ones. 

Miss Grant is going with us,” announced 
Dick. 

Oh ! oh ! oh ! That isn’t fair ! We want 
Miss Grant in the big sleigh ! ” 

You must do without her this time.” 

They were bundled in, and wrapped in rugs 
and blankets. Some of the younger ones had 
to be left behind for the next time. The roads 
were just broken, and it seemed as if the air 


252 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

was growing warmer. The sun was sending 
rays and drifts of opaline splendor, the pre- 
cursor of coming sunset. If they could not 
have Miss Grant in the big sleigh, they had 
Miss Jaynes and Lilian and Mr. Boyd, who 
. started some school songs that fairly made the 
air ring. 

“ Eastman, I don’t know how to thank you 
and Henderson for this pleasure,” said Mr. 
Underwood, and for the interest you and 
others are taking in the school. It is such 
an encouragement to us teachers to find our 
efforts appreciated. I have always maintained 
that the fathers had a great deal to do with 
forming the boys’ characters in the transition 
stage. The teacher can’t do it all.” 

My boy and I have learned that,” re- 
turned Mr. Eastman in a fervent tone. 

‘‘ And since parents have an ownership in 
the child and are responsible to the State for 
its future citizens, I think we should take our 
duties more seriously and be what help we 
can.” 

How they skimmed over the ground ! Helen 
felt the exhilaration in every nerve. It seemed 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 253 

as if she came back to her olden self, and the 
perplexing moods drifted away. 

On the return they dropped the children here 
and there. 

I've had such a splendid time,” Allen Mil- 
lard said to Helen. ‘‘ I did want to be in that 
fray, but of course I knew I couldn’t.” 

‘‘ We’ll shake hands,” said Dick cordially. 

I’m in the same boat, but mine was my own 
fault. But we can be good students and good 
scholars for all that.” 

Allen had always had a little fear of Dick. 
Now he squeezed his hand and smiled. 

The boys planned another battle for next 
Saturday. The Redmen were sure they would 
win if they were the attacking party. But 
alas! Friday evening it started in rainy, and 
there was a warm atmosphere, with a down- 
pour. But when it did clear, there was splen- 
did skating and a magnificent full moon. Miss 
Grant had to join some of the skating parties. 

Then there came almost a shock to West- 
field. The county superintendent had resigned, 
the first of the year, to accept a very promising 
position at the West. There had been a num- 


254 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

ber of applications, most of them declined, and 
now the committee had requested that Mr. 
Underwood should allow his name to be put 
in nomination, with the almost certainty of 
gaining the appointment. They were much 
pleased with his way of managing the new 
high school and with his executive ability 
generally. 

There, Mrs. Underwood, read that and 
feel complimented,” and he handed the letter 
to his wife. 

She perused it, and then studied him. 
“Well, what will you do? Shall I give you 
the advice Consider Miller gave his cow ? ” 
amusement gleaming from her eyes. 

“ What would you like — a change ? ” 

“ Oh, to tell the truth, I am not very fond 
of changes. We have a nice home and garden 
here, and some of the new people that have 
come in are a great acquisition. I think you 
feel more restful, and certainly you are appre- 
ciated. It would be a kind of new life; and 
now you can take your ease a little. It de- 
pends a good deal on whether there is money 
enough to pay for the added work and anxiety. 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 255 

For you would be wanting to bring the schools 
up to your standard. And teachers are not 
always tractable.” 

Fve worked hard for this high school, and 
had one fine friend back of me. Now I have 
three. I never imagined Mr. Eastman would 
show so much public spirit, so much interest 
in education. But I couldn’t have done it 
alone or with inefficient support. Miss Grant 
deserves a great deal of the credit. And 
though Fm not much in favor of women hold- 
ing offices, six or eight years from this she 
would make a fine superintendent. By that 
time, I suppose, women will be voting.” 

“ I want Miss Grant to marry. After all — 
Mr. Hildreth would make any woman a splen- 
did husband, and then he would give up roam- 
ing about. Yet it didn’t quite meet my ideas, 
either. Some one young and vigorous, who 
has ambition and can make his mark. I don’t 
just know — I haven’t seen the man yet,” and 
a queer, doubtful smile crossed her face. 

‘‘ Teaching wears on so many of the younger 
women. You see so many tired faces at the 
Institutes.” 


256 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ Miss Grant has some gift, or strength, or 
grace that lifts her above that,” returned Mr. 
Underwood. 

‘‘ But she is young yet.” 

“ And her influence over young people is 
beneficial. Then, somehow, the mothers seem 
won by her also. Even Mrs. Eastman, I no- 
tice, meets her in a most agreeable fashion. 
Mr. Eastman thinks she has been the salvation 
of Dick — well, even now she keeps up his 
spirits. He has a tendency towards depres- 
sion, though I don’t wonder at it. And she 
seems to stimulate the children to do their 
utmost and take pride in their standing. When 
you can inspire them with that half the battle 
is won.” 

Any other woman would be jealous,” she 
said laughingly. 

‘‘ You think more of your husband’s suc- 
cess. Well — what shall this be? There 
would be a higher salary, a good deal of travel- 
ing about. Here I can work out my own 
plans; there I should have a dozen different 
people to suit, no end of complaints, be ad- 
vanced a little higher in social standing — ^find 


BACK IN THE HEART OF THINGS 257 

a still better position, like Mr. Brewer. To 
tell the truth, I never considered him just the 
man for the place. But perhaps that may be 
said about me.” 

“ Oh, I see you don’t want to change.” 

“ No, I do not. That is the truth. Ten 
years from this time Westfield will be a really 
fine place. I ought to reap and enjoy some 
of its prosperity.” 

‘‘ Then do not go. I think it would break 
Mr. Hildreth’s heart.” 

I wonder why we do not hear. That 
Alaska business proves very bothersome. I 
hope he doesn’t lose money in it. Why, he 
ought to be back home.” 

As I said — I shall be content. Though 
we might not have to move.” 

** There are larger towns than this in the 
county. Lancaster holds its head high. Mr. 
Brewer lived there, and it is more central.” 

“ You do not have to decide to-night.” 

“ I might consult Miss Grant to-morrow,” 
and a glint of mischief flashed in his eyes. 

‘‘ Would she stay under a new principal ? ” 

^‘Oh, where could I find him!” in mock 


258 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

desperation. Men, as a general thing, do 
not like a superior." 

So you see how perplexities would accumu- 
late. Sleep on it, dream on it, and, as I said, — 
consider whether it is worth while. And oh, 
husband, it is a great deal better to decline 
than to be declined. Now I want to read this 
foolish novel to settle my mind. The girl can't 
decide between two lovers. We will talk this 
matter over to-morrow." 


CH/iPTER XII 


ONE END OF A THREAD 

Several days passed. Helen was full of 
ambition for her class. It was not always 
clear sailing. There were boys bubbling over 
with mischief, there were sentimental girls 
and self-willed ones; but she summoned some 
of her past experiences, when she was a girl 
among other girls. How she seemed to have 
left those years behind ! Occasionally she felt 
quite like another person, and took pride in 
her own development. It was not vanity; she 
understood her own capabilities, and she felt 
there were fewer limitations than she had once 
believed. 

After school was dismissed one afternoon, 
Mr. Underwood came up to her room. She 
had stopped to write a letter. 

‘‘ Fd like you to read this,’' he said, laying 
his missive on her desk. 

259 


26 o 


HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 


“ Why, it is from " glancing up. 

“ Isn't it private business ? " 

It might have been a week ago," touched 
by her delicacy. 

She read it slowly, considering within her- 
self. 

“ You will accept it? " in a tentative fashion. 

‘‘ Would you advise me to ? " 

Why " She studied his face. His 

eyes were rather mirthful. “ It is very com- 
plimentary, when there were so many other 
applicants — quite urgent, indeed. I suppose it 
is higher up in the social and intellectual scale, 
and," smiling, means more salary. Oh, I 
can't really advise you, because I should be 
sorry " 

“ The matter was decided on the second 
day. You see, they had to have an answer 
at once." 

“ Oh, you are not going," she said quickly, 
with a radiant face. 

‘'You have guessed right." 

“ I think you have been very noble about 
it. No one could blame you for accepting. 
I suppose the ofhce is held in high esteem." 



“Oh, you are not going! ''—Puffe 2 G 0 




. ■- • ■'- V':.:n:ilr 3 ^'-- ‘ 



t ■^. 








^’•v .* .V. 

LL^ '' ' ' 

fV;'!: '■ • m*>. ' 

‘X’** ' if"‘ >** ►■-1 ■ • 

;'‘^fc‘‘/f^*' ■ 'V, Vi ■ 

-I A >• •• *; ■* 

/sk 'A V . •• ' 




u. I 


' %V 


* '1 




♦ >-.r <•-** * lijiij! ' ,. 

'■■f.'' r- ft r ■!%■,«' . .. 

!k V ; - ■ '• *■ " ' tf, 

- . • » ■ -'.■ ' ■ ..V. ‘ 

• • ■ * 4 A v^-l 


'. •» 






f. 


W 

i 




ONE END OF A THREAD 261 

He laughed. “ I rather think Mrs. Under- 
wood had a hand in it; for, like a good hus- 
band, I took her into account. You have 
never been to Lancaster. The Institutes used 
to be held there always, but Mr. Brewer 
thought it better to divide them around. Lan- 
caster, besides being the county town, is about 
two hundred years old, stiff and aristocratic, 
but it is nearly in the center of the county and 
accessible fiom all points. It is a really ele- 
gant place, with broad streets, a beautiful little 
park, fine houses and grounds. Laura was 
quite sure she could never feel at home there. 
They have a fine large high school, churches 
for every denomination, a club house, a hall 
for lectures and concerts. There is not much 
real business. I think a big factory would 
shock everybody. When court sits, the place 
is busy. There is also a university, devoted 
mostly to law and theology. Mrs. Underwood 
is really attached to Westfield and to Mr. 
Hildreth.” 

And you declined ? ” 

“ I like teaching. I like tussles with boys. 
I enjoy a place that isn’t fenced in and white- 


262 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

washed; that isn’t finished, and can improve. 
And you would hardly believe how much it 
has improved since I came here. Then I 
think it would give greater satisfaction to have 
a man from a distance. I should be picked 
to pieces; I should fight for progression and 
improvement, and it is hard getting most peo- 
ple out of their ruts.” 

Oh, I am very, very glad ! ” she exclaimed 
unaffectedly. ‘‘ And you are doing a good 
work here.” 

And running races with Ridgewood,” 
laughing. ‘‘ We shall catch up and go ahead. 
You don’t know how much good the training 
of their three bad boys has done us. Dins- 
more is giving excellent satisfaction in the 
bank. Every one couldn’t have taken advan- 
tage of Dick’s accident as you did. And I 
know he was leader in that shameful Hal- 
loween affair.” 

You see, the others were not quite so bad, 
and being without a leader, they were the more 
easily managed. Then Dick’s accident was 
like a warning.” 

It is very gratifying for all of you to 


ONE END OF A THREAD 263 

desire me to remain where I am. Even Miss 
Parker was really enthusiastic — though we 
have always been excellent friends. I want 
the good will and assistance of my teachers. 
I hope we will get a good superintendent. 
Mr. Brewer has antagonized some of the best 
teachers. Conover was in last evening, and 
had heard a whisper about it; not from me, 
however. So I suppose it will be a bit of 
news for Westfield to gloat over,’’ smiling. 
“ But I wanted the pleasure of telling you 
myself.” 

‘‘ Oh, thank you,” and the depth of her 
tone pleased him. 

‘‘ By the way, have you heard from Mr 
Hildreth? I have not had a word since he 
went to Alaska. There was some trouble, 
some business on hand, he suggested.” 

“ No. I have not heard from him lately,” 
which was true enough. And Gordon’s letters 
had been rather puzzling. 

Westfield was proud of having had a chance 
at the county superintendent, but delighted that 
Mr. Underwood had decided to remain with 
them. 


264 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ Lancaster would have expected us to live 
there/' Mrs. Underwood said to Helen. And 
moving is such an awful task, when you have 
every nook and corner full and books stored 
everywhere. Westfield is a sort of homey, 
chatty place. I don’t mean gossipy altogether, 
but people do take an interest in each other. 
I think we need a minister’s wife to be a kind 
of center for the young people. But Mr. Hen- 
ley is too old to think of marrying again. 
Our young people stray off to the other 
churches. Do you notice how many of the 
boys run after Mr. Boyd? He is a great 
attraction to them. Why, the little chapel is 
crowded evenings. No, I don’t like Lancaster. 
The foundation stones are the great, great 
grandfathers.” 

Helen laughed at that. 

“ And every front lawn is just like every 
other. The same kind of blooming shrubbery 
and roses. And if Mrs. Starkweather sets 
out a bed of red geraniums, every one follows 
suit, rd try to get some blue ones.” 

“ I never heard of blue geraniums.” 

Then mine would be new, and set every- 


ONE END OF A THREAD 265 

body envying. There is larkspur, and chickory 
has a blue flower, and blue hyderangeas, and 
there’s the pretty, delicate flax. And the next 
summer Fd have something different again. 
I should come to hate a place where everything 
was cut and dried.” Then, after a moment, 
she said anxiously, ‘‘ Have you heard from 
Mr. Hildreth ? Husband is worried about 
him. What a wild-goose chase, to go out to 
Alaska in the winter.” 

“ No,” Helen answered quietly. “ But he 
went on some business.” 

“As if there was not enough business near 
at hand, that one must run half over the world ! 
Now if husband had wanted an adviser about 
this superintendency business, where would he 
have gone? And if he had decided for it, 
think what an awful disappointment it would 
have been to Mr. Hildreth.” 

Helen gave a little sigh of relief at the 
escape. 

What with the rain and two rather mild 
days, the fort needed patching up. It made 
quite a playhouse for the younger children. 
So it was a fortnight before they had their 


266 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

next battle, which was so strenuously con- 
tested that twilight bid fair to overtake them 
before it was decided. Then it was admitted 
that the inside party stood the best chance. 

No one invites us to coffee to-day, or 
treats us to a sleigh ride. We are neglected 
and deserted by our friends,” declared a boy 
lugubriously. 

‘‘ Then let’s quit. We stand three to three.” 

They threw up their caps and hurrahed. 
And the next week they made a fire inside 
the fort and battered it down. 

Helen read over the last brief note from 
Gordon Danforth. They had captured the 
traitor and defaulter, but it had ended in a 
tragedy. He had turned the last ball in his 
pistol upon himself. Mr. Hildreth had begged 
for a little leniency, but had been overruled 
by other parties who had lost more by the 
shifty double-dealing. “ A young fellow, 
barely two years older than I, whose first 
misstep had been forgiven,” wrote Gordon. 
“ And for a few years he seemed to go on 
all right, and won the confidence of those who 
employed him. Then the mania for gambling 


ONE END OF A THREAD 267 

overpowered him and he went wild. They 
have recovered the missing deed, and, it is 
thought, will be able to recoup their losses. 
But it has been a great blow to Mr. Hildreth, 
and the climate has been hard on him. We 
are going to Southern California to recruit. 
I shall be quite a famous traveler by the time 
I return.” 

Did she miss the old, overflowing tenderness 
out of the letter ? Then she wondered whether 
he was ceasing to care. What if she should 
have her own life to herself after all! Had 
she really wished it? Had she chafed at the 
thought of surrendering the power of her 
personal capacity; of being merged into an- 
other life, when she could do so well for her- 
self? Not that she had in any way resolved 
to break the tie, only to put it off until — until 
what? When she was tired of herself and 
her work ? — when the sweetness of power over 
other lives and souls began to pall? Perhaps 
she was not necessary to his life — Miss Trevor 
had pointed out the mistake of a woman’s 
thinking herself necessary to any man! 

She had thrust aside Mrs. Yarrow’s letter, 


268 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

written so long ago, hardly having the cour- 
age to destroy it. The correspondence was 
following general lines — Angela and the baby, 
the happy, restful home, the college girls, the 
news of the day — ^but the old chiding and the 
counsel had dropped out. But one sentence 
haunted her. “ Unless you love with a deeper, 
holier, more soul-giving affection, you have 
no right to marry any man.” 

Then came back the beautiful solemn be- 
trothal. Was it a thing to be lightly held? 
What had drifted her away from that satisfy- 
ing haven ? 

But these were busy times, and she was so 
tired with the day’s work that she thrust aside 
her own perplexities. Mid-winter examina- 
tions, promotions that gratified her — Mr. Un- 
derwood as well. Would it not be selfish to 
step out of this useful, earnest, satisfying life ? 
For her whole soul was imbued with the desire 
of being useful; of bringing every gift of 
nature and study to some purpose that should 
bear fruit. That was what life was given for. 

Not that Helen was growing pedantic, or 
pragmatic, or unduly fond of her own opinion. 


ONE END OF A THREAD 269 

She had so just an estimate of herself. And 
she had been a success thus far. She was an 
excellent speaker, clear and vigorous, having 
her forces always in order. Many women 
were coming to be a power in the world. Some 
of the college teachers gave admirable lec- 
tures. She was in no hurry to rush out into 
the world’s arena, but in years to come 

She had gone to the city one Saturday to 
take lunch with her friend, Mrs. Osborne; 
to meet Juliet, and hear a delightful singer. 
They had gone afterward to a rather dainty 
and select restaurant, and talked over affairs 
at Kingsland. 

The new organist, a young man of much 
ability, who had already shown some skill in 
composing, had become very friendly with 
them all, and quite pronounced in his attentions 
to Wilma. His mother had bought a pretty 
cottage in the vicinity and was considered quite 
an acquisition to society. 

“ Wilma seems such a child yet. I had 
hoped for a year or two of free and happy 
girl life with no question of lovers, and have 
treated the matter in the friendliest manner. 


270 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

avoiding any opportunity of a discussion on 
the subject. But I am afraid it will have to 
come. So, you see, motherly cares fall upon 
me, and grave questions meet me in the way. 
You must come up and meet him, Helen, for 
I liardly know whether to depend on my own 
judgment or not.” 

“ I surely will. But it seems rather amus- 
ing when, only a little while ago, they were 
such children. And how fond their father 
was of them! Juliet, you have done your duty 
nobly by them.” 

‘‘ I have loved them truly. And they would 
have been so alone in the world when their 
school days were over. What a fine, generous- 
hearted woman Mrs. Aldred is! I really fell 
in love with her during the summer. Once I 
envied you your facility of seeing the charm- 
ing side of people, and now I wonder if I shall 
not increase my list of admirable, loving 
persons too rapidly.” 

I think one cannot have too many fine and 
true friends. I have found some delightful 
ones at Westfield.” 

While they had been talking, a young couple 


ONE END OF A THREAD 2^1 

walked up the aisle and seated themselves at 
a table on the opposite side, their faces toward 
the door. The girl was laughing and chatting, 
and the young man very devoted. Helen 
watched them furtively, with a curious con- 
sciousness of knowing who they were. The 
girl flushed, and it dawned upon her that they 
were two of her own scholars. They rose 
suddenly, with their faces turned away, and 
went quite to the lower end of the place. 

They finished their refreshments and Juliet 
rose. Helen followed her, wondering if there 
was any real duty here; but before she could 
decide, they had reached the street. Their 
ways lay in different directions now. Helen 
was early at her station, and she watched the 
newcomers until her train was called, but did 
not see the young couple. 

Ada Cranston came in on Mondays, from 
Fairhaven, and boarded through the week with 
some friends. Now and then she remained 
over Sunday. She was studying for a teacher 
and was in her third year. Helen had not 
taken to her especially, though she was a fair 
student. 


272 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

She watched again when she left the train. 
Mr. Conover spoke to her. 

‘‘ Were you waiting for some one ? ” he 
asked. 

“ Yes and no. I saw two of my pupils in 
the city; I thought they might be on the train.” 

Will you allow me to walk up with you? ” 

It was quite dark, though Helen never 
minded the walk home. Mr. Conover was 
very gentlemanly and quite a talker. This 
time his subject was the gratification of the 
townspeople that they were able to retain Mr. 
Underwood. They would hardly know how 
to get along without him. Teachers were 
something like clergymen, and changing about 
was not a good thing for them or the pupils. 

Ada and Edgar Mills were in their places 
on Monday morning, but neither had very good 
recitations. Helen watched them a little, and 
found they took every opportunity to be to- 
gether. During the previous winter Mr. Un- 
derwood had quite broken up the habit of what 
he called spooning,” laughing the larger boys 
out of it. 

Some word came from Mr. Hildreth. He 


ONE END OF A THREAD 273 

had been quite ill and was now traveling about 
in the loveliest climate in the world, with his 
young friend, Mr. Danforth, for companion. 
He would not be home until in April. And 
his instructions to Martin were to give the 
horses plenty of exercise, and take out any of 
the neighbors who desired to go. 

“ It’s just splendid of him,” declared Lilian 
Firth. But I am sorry he has been ill. I 
think we all are.” 

Georgia Winters and her mother made quite 
frequent demands on Martin. The girl had 
several admirers in her train, but no real lover, 
to her secret mortification, since most of her set 
were either engaged or married. 

Helen had quite dismissed the episode of 
Ada and Edgar being in the city, though she 
knew it was a secret, as none of the girls re- 
ferred to it. Ada had to remain in one after- 
noon to finish some examples, and was rather 
cross about it. When she took them to Miss 
Grant, she had a small paper-covered novel 
in her hand, which she laid down on a chair 
in order to correct a mistake in one of the 
problems, and then went off without it. 


274 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

The girls had been forbidden to bring novels 
to school, but Helen knew some of them 
evaded the rule. She picked up this and was 
about to put it in her desk, when she ran over 
the pages and a note dropped out. It was 
dated that morning, and commenced, ‘‘ My 
dear wife.” She sat for a few moments, con- 
sidering. They could not be married, of 
course. Young Mills was seventeen, Ada a 
little older. Mr. Mills was in the firm of 
watch-case manufacturers. 

She read part of the first page, which 
was a silly rhapsody in answer to what Ada 
had written him. Then she slipped it back 
into the book and locked her desk. She would 
attend to it to-morrow. 

Ada was quite distraught the next day, but 
she plucked up courage to ask Miss Grant if 
she had mislaid a book while she stood there 
going over her examples. She was to take 
it to a friend. 

‘‘ Yes,” returned Helen quietly. “ I will 
give it to you after school. You know it is 
against the rules to bring in such books.” 

The letter surely was in it, for Ada had 


ONE END OF A THREAD 275 

looked through every other book; but she 
hoped it had escaped Miss Grant’s scrutiny. 

Helen asked Edgar to wait for her in one 
of the recitation rooms, and then she led Ada 
thither. Two very red and alarmed faces con- 
fronted one another. 

“ I believe you ' are the writer of this 
letter, Edgar Mills,” she said in a low tone. 

It accidentally came into my possession, 
and I suppose it was written to Miss Cran- 
ston.” 

Neither of them spoke. Their eyes seemed 
glued to the floor. 

“ You surely are not married? ” 

“ Oh, no ! Miss Grant,” said Edgar. 

“ But we are engaged. And he gave me 
this ring,” said Ada, meeting Miss Grant’s eyes 
for the first time, and drawing a long breath 
as if to emphasize the statement. 

‘‘ Edgar, is this so ? ” 

“Well,” hesitatingly; “we are both young, 
but we mean to wait. And we love each other. 
But we want to keep our secret ” 

“ It is a foolish, dishonorable secret. Your 
father is planning for you to go to college 


276 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

when you are through here. So it would be 
years before you could marry.” 

“ I shall not go to college,” he returned. 
“ I shall beg father to let me learn a trade 
next year. I shall be eighteen.” 

The assumption of mannishness was honor- 
able, at least, and the boy had courage. 

‘‘ Do you mean to keep the secret for the 
next three or four years ? ” 

In their youthful enthusiasm they had 
planned a secret marriage; but Miss Grant’s 
face did not invite to confidence. 

“ Well ” he twisted a button on his coat 

in a nervous fashion. “ When I begin to earn 
money ” 

‘‘Ada, what are your plans? Your mother 
wishes you to teach.” 

“ Oh, mamma would rather have me mar- 
ried,” she said, with a toss of the head. “And 
— and I don’t believe she’ll say a word against 
the engagement. She was married when she 
was seventeen.” 

Helen studied them in dismay. What did 
they know about real love — poor, foolish chil- 
dren! 


ONE END OF A THREAD 


277 

‘‘ Mr. Underwood forbade this practice of 
writing love letters between boys and girls. I 
shall have to inform him. And it will also 
be my duty to lay the matter before your 
father.’’ 

“ Oh, Miss Grant, please don’t ! He 
wouldn’t understand. And it would be so 
hard for us both.” 

‘‘ It would be cruel. Miss Grant ! I’ll tell 
mamma, if you wish me to,” and Ada began 
to cry. 

“ You were down at New York three weeks 
ago; I saw you in the Savoy. Is that the only 
time ? ” 

Both were silent, then glanced furtively at 
each other. 

“ I think it was not,” said Helen. 

“ Well — I went down on an errand for 
father. Oh, he sends me occasionally. And 
I asked her to come down. We went to the 
theater.” 

You will think this very foolish business 
when you are twenty. And wrong, too. I 
shall see your father, Edgar.” 

Oh, Miss Grant, please, please don’t ! 


278 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

We are engaged, and we’ll just keep to it in 
spite of everybody.” 

Helen saw there would be no reasoning with 
them. Poor, foolish children, fancying this 
regard permanent that had in it none of the 
real truth and holiness of pure love. She de- 
cided that Ada had been the most to blame; 
she looked the most eager now, and there was 
obstinacy in the lines about the mouth. What 
kind of a mother must the girl have, to be so 
lacking in delicacy? She would consent to a 
private marriage on the stress of the moment. 

Miss Grant,” and there was a certain re- 
solve in the boy’s face, I did not know it 
was against the rules to — to correspond this 
way, and I’ll give it up if you will let the 
matter stop here. I’ll stay in school until it 
closes, and then I’ll tell my father what I 
mean to do ” 

But I won’t give up the engagement. You 

have no right ” and Ada’s face was flushed 

with anger. 

“ I’m not going to give it up. I’d wait 
years for you. But, you see, — we shall have 
to settle this matter some way. I know my 


ONE END OF A THREAD 279 

father will be angry if it comes to his ears. 
Oh, you need not feel afraid I shall go back 
on you he contended earnestly. 

It was ridiculous, and yet it had a pathetic 
side. At present she could not fancy Ada 
being a fit wife for any one. Their pleading 
did not in the least touch Helen, yet she felt 
really sorry for Edgar. 

“ I will tell you to-morrow what I think 
best,’’ she said quietly, and then she turned. 
She would leave them just now to their own 
consideration. 

‘‘ Will you give me my letter? ” asked Ada 
in a peremptory tone. 

Not at present. You should have been 
more careful of anything so sacred,” she said 
with a touch of sarcasm. 

“ It is mine.” Ada held out her hand. 

You may have it to-morrow. Good- 
afternoon,” and she was gone. 

She did not take the most direct way to the 
Underwood house, lest she might be watched. 
And she had just turned one corner when she 
met the principal. 

“ Oh,” she exclaimed, “ come back home 


28o HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

with me. I have something important to 
discuss.” 

“ Oh, I was only out for a walk. What 
has gone wrong now? I can tell by your 
face.” 

“ A piece of folly — ^youthful folly that you 
will have to settle.” She looked disgusted. 

'‘If it is nothing worse than folly ” 

“ I am afraid it may go on to something 
worse.” 

He opened the gate and they walked into 
the sitting-room. Mrs. Underwood was at 
some needlework. 

“ I was thinking you would have to be 
brought with force and arms if I was to see 
you again. And you are going all round 
the neighborhood to tea, I hear. Miss 
Grant, please to recall the fact that I was 
one of your earliest friends,” was the lady’s 
greeting. 

“Is it very private?” asked Mr. Under- 
wood, turning to Helen. 

“ No. I’d rather Mrs. Underwood would 
hear it,” and she could not help smiling over 
the ridiculousness of the matter. 


ONE END OF A THREAD 281 

“If there was a secret, I should be 
jealous at once,” the wife said in an amused 
tone. 

Helen sat down, unfastened her coat, and 
laid aside her hat. Then she began with her 
story, and handed the letter to Mr. Under- 
wood. 

“ What utter imbecility! Yet, like measles, 
it does break out now and then. And that 
Mills boy is a nice fellow, too; stood high in 
his examination. The girl I don’t know much 
about.” 

“ The idea of their going down to the city 
alone! And her mother not knowing,” ex- 
claimed Mrs. Underwood. 

“ I’m sorry he takes it so seriously. Such 
children, too! He isn’t eighteen yet. Yes, 
his father must know. They say silly things 
in their adolescence, but they do not always 
plan a marriage; and secret marriages are 
much to be dreaded. They are productive of 
misery and trouble. Yes, I must see Mr. 
Mills. I think I had better go to the office. 
The mother is away, in Florida, for her health. 
There are some younger children.” 


282 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ Then I’ll keep Miss Grant, and we’ll have 
a high tea instead of going out to dinner.” 

‘‘ And I shall hear the result the sooner,” 
laughed Helen. 

Mr. Underwood donned his coat and hat. 
Mrs. Underwood began some preparations for 
tea, keeping up a running comment as she went 
out and in. Helen had been the confident of 
more than one lovelorn girl at college, and 
had found that they recovered presently. Even 
Lilian Firth had been thankful for her lover’s 
desertion of her. 

One almost doubts the wisdom of co-edu- 
cation,” said Mrs. Underwood. “ Yet, in my 
time, boys and girls could be good friends. 
But we didn’t have such trashy novels to read. 
And there were home duties to occupy one’s 
mind. Mothers looked after their daughters 
a little more closely. What do you suppose 
Mrs. Cranston is like ? ” 

“ I do not recall her. Ada boards with the 
Farwells through the week, and lately I notice 
she has stayed over Sunday. I have not taken 
any special fancy to her, though she is a fair 
scholar.” 


ONE END OF A THREAD 


283 


“ Will she make a good teacher ? ” 

I do not think she will. She is not am- 
bitious.” 

They waited quite a while for Mr. Under- 
wood’s return. 

Let us have our talk over the table,” said 
his wife. Miss Grant must be famished. 
Of course you saw Mr. Mills? ” 

‘‘ Yes, and he was very thankful for my 
coming at once, and wished to be remembered 
most cordially to Miss Grant. But we shall 
lose a good scholar, for which I am sorry. 
He will be sent elsewhere at once. Mr. Mills 
had a mind, at first, to try a regular boys’ 
school, but he hated to have him away from 
home.” 

“ And he was not angry — indignant ? ” 

Oh, no. And very gentlemanly. The 
two younger boys are in this school, and he is 
very much pleased with their progress.” 

“ Come and sit down,” said Mrs. Under- 
wood, lest the viands catch cold.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 

Helen returned in a very satisfactory mood, 
after spending a pleasant evening. She won- 
dered a little what would be the consequences 
the next morning. Edgar Mills was not pres- 
ent; Miss Cranston was sullen, and showed 
traces of an unhappy night. Helen slipped 
the note on her desk, without any explanation, 
and went serenely about her duties. 

Just after noon a note came through the 
post-office for her, and one for Miss Cranston. 
Mr. Mills wrote to thank her again for her 
promptness in dealing with the matter. On 
Saturday he expected to enter Edgar in a 
regular boys’ school, and he would not be 
back at Westfield in the intervening days. It 
was a very childish, silly affair that he had 
taken steps to end, he hoped, though he had 
found Edgar very resolute in his own way. 

284 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 285 

But boys soon forgot, or were ashamed of 
such youthful folly. He was very glad 
Edgar’s school record had been so commend- 
able, and he was truly sorry to send him away, 
since the school stood so deservedly high. 

It was evident that Ada’s note was not a 
pleasant one. She was indifferent in her class 
work. 

“ Miss Grant,” she said at mid-afternoon, 
‘‘ I would like to go home. My head aches so 
that I can hardly see, and I feel as if I were 
going to be ill. I do not think I shall be back 
before Monday.” 

‘‘ Perhaps that will be best,” Helen said 
kindly. ‘‘ I hope you will be fresh and well 
by that time.” She longed to say something 
more sympathetic, but she was afraid of a 
rebuff. 

‘‘ So it is well settled,” she said to Mr. 
Underwood. “ And I do admire Mr. Mills.” 

He begs we will make no further talk 
about the matter. Now if Miss Cranston has 
sense enough not to blurt it out ” 

But it was not quite ended. Saturday after- 
noon Helen had a call from a stranger; a rather 


286 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

pretty woman somewhere in the thirties, 
fashionably attired, and with a pompadour that 
was large enough for a crown. 

“ I am Mrs. Cranston,” she began. ‘‘ I 
wish to know something about this unfortu- 
nate affair, and why my daughter’s engage- 
ment should have been broken off with no sat- 
isfactory explanation. And it seems to me 
you should have given her lover’s note back 
to my daughter and not made so much trouble. 
She is ill in bed.” 

‘‘ I am sincerely sorry she should have taken 
it so to heart. I did only what the regulations 
of the school required. I turned a clandestine 
note over to the principal, and he acted in the 
matter. The young man is barely eighteen 
and his father had plans for his life that pre- 
cluded marriage for years yet. They were 
both too young to enter into any such agree- 
ment.” 

“ I was just seventeen when I was married, 
and my husband was twenty. We were poor 
and have had a hard struggle, but we have 
been as happy as most folks. And this Mr. 
Mills is rich, I hear, so he could afford to 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 287 

give his son a taste of happiness. I think 
an early marriage better for a young man.” 

Her tone was very irritating and resentful. 

My daughter is very much in love. So 
was he. She showed me some of the letters, 
and they were full of devotion. There is 
nothing so sweet, and pure, and holy as the 
first bloom of the young heart. And to have 
it ruthlessly destroyed is a crime, a murder 
of the innocents, a cruel, dastardly act. And 
he was so much in earnest that he offered to 
go to work and care for her; but no father 
with plenty of money would have allowed 
that.” 

‘‘ His father proposed to give him a first- 
class education. If their affection should out- 
last these years of waiting I do not think Mr. 
Mills would disbelieve it a case of true love.” 

“ But you see he has sent him away, 
and they are not even to correspond. I do 
hope they can find some way to circum- 
vent this cruel edict. Oh, I don’t wonder 
young people run away sometimes and get 
married.” 

Helen was a little shocked and a good deal 


288 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

disgusted with the lack of moral sense and 
motherly anxiety for a daughter’s welfare. 

You see, there are five children; two girls 
right behind Ada. I think Providence ought 
to have boys the oldest; you can set them at 
work sooner. We’re making some sacrifice 
in sending Ada to the high school, for teach- 
ing seems more genteel than sewing or going 
into any kind of a factory. Ethel, my second 
girl, is a born dressmaker, but Ada’s no good 
at it. So I said — ‘ You must either teach 
school or get married.’ And there’s so few 
young men about our place, except the farm 
workers. Oh, dear! The mothers of girls 
have anxious times until they get them settled. 
And this Mr. Mills — do you think anything 
can be done toward getting a hearing with 
him?” 

Mr. Mills seems to have settled it until 
his son is twenty-one,” Helen said stiffly. 

‘‘ Ada said you weren’t a bit sympathetic. 
I don’t suppose school teachers ever are. 
They get kind of queer and hardened, and 
seldom marry. I did hope ” 

‘‘ I can do nothing in the matter,” decisively. 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 289 

But you need not have given up the note.” 

Helen made no reply. She was tired of the 
interview with such a frivolous, inconsequent 
woman. 

Well,” when the silence was growing awk- 
ward, “ I may as well go back to my poor 
girl, and take her only cold comfort.” 

She rose, with what she considered a great 
deal of dignity, and walked out to the hall 
with a very icy farewell. 

Helen buried her face in her hands and 
laughed convulsively. The idea of any mother 
humiliating herself in that fashion ! And 
when there was such a small prospect of 
success. 

Ada stayed out of school a week, and by 
that time was tired of home and began to 
wonder whether three or four years of wait- 
ing would be endurable. She had had a vague 
idea that there might be a secret marriage, and 
that when it was irrevocable Mr. Mills would 
put his son into some position in the factory, 
and all would be happiness. 

Some of the boys wondered at Mills’ sudden 
defection. He had been counting so much 


290 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

on the spring games and the rowing. There 
were no explanations made, and though Ada 
was sorely tempted to confess herself the vic- 
tim of a cruel father, she did not want to be 
teased or ridiculed. She had one letter from 
Edgar, though his conscience pricked him for 
being disloyal to his father. But he said 
bravely, there was nothing before them but 
years of waiting, until he was twenty-one and 
his own master. Through all, they would be 
true to each other. 

That Mr. Hildreth was on his way home 
was good news. They would cross Texas and 
come over to New Orleans, and visit some 
of the Southern cities. He was quite well 
again and longing to be at home. 

And now Helen looked steadily at her own 
future. Somewhere it had gone awry. Or 
else there were so many sides, so many paths 
opening, that she stood indrawn, as it were, 
not knowing which one to take. The woman 
who loved would marry and rest in her hus- 
band's heart; accept his life, not have any 
separate life of her own. But she had a sep- 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 29I 

arate life. There was a broad place she could 
fill. And she thought of the home Leslie had 
gone to, with her fine instincts, her love of all 
things beautiful, of friends and interchange of 
thoughts, of order and neatness and refine- 
ment. Did she ever long for the life she had 
left behind? 

But her life could be different. She could 
go out into the great world where harvests 
were ready for the gathering. She could take 
a rich share. She could do some fine work in 
teaching, speaking, in writing — not a novel, 
that would never be her gift — ^but something 
the world had need of as much, the training 
and developing of souls, the true life that 
somehow had fallen into desuetude in the 
rush and hurry of to-day. 

Mrs. Yarrow had given her career up for 
love; for home, husband, and children. 

It was not that Helen cared so much for 
fame; it was the power of reaching souls, of 
inspiring them with what was best and noblest. 

And there was Miss Morse. Her work 
might not be noised abroad in the great world, 
but how many sweet and noble women there 


292 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

were who had her to thank for setting their 
feet in the right way ! 

Had she been caught by a sudden flaring 
light and carried captive? Surely that was 
not all of love ! She had seen it grow cold in 
others — yet not always. There was Shirley, 
who had been carried away with girlish 
romance, but yet would have held herself 
in the background rather than defraud her 
dear friend, Helen, of what might justly be 
hers. 

Oh, why should all these doubts rise up to 
perplex her? 

I am going to run away on Friday,” she 
said to Mr. Underwood. “ My friend at 
Kingsland has sent me an urgent invitation — 
there are some grave or, rather, serious mat- 
ters on hand. And I shall not return until 
Monday morning. But I will try to be on the 
mark.” 

“ Oh, I will not report you if you are half 
an hour behind,” he laughed. “ I think some 
times you are too exigent. Oh, do you know 
the Portsmouth is expected in from Charles- 
ton on Sunday? Mr. Hildreth will be aboard. 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 293 

and that young friend of his. I shall go down. 
Shall I take a message from you ? ’’ 

She flushed warmly. “ Nothing but pure 
gladness. That comprehends a great deal.” 

Sunday! They would hardly come out to 
Westfield before Monday. 

Martin had been over to Mrs. Stirling with 
the news. 

“ Seems to me this has been the longest and 
dreariest time Mr. Hildreth has ever been 
away. Maybe because we heard he wasnT 
very well and was worried,” said Martin. 

Thank the Lord, nothing has gone wrong 
with us, and the horses are in fine trim. Mrs. 
Ruden is making the house spic-and-span. 
And there’ll be a big house-warming or I miss 
my guess.” 

'‘Oh, dear!” exclaimed Lilian. "I just 
hate to have you go away. I seem to have but 
such a little of you now.” 

The days had grown somewhat longer, but 
it was evening when she reached her destina- 
tion. Miss Craven was there to meet her. 

“ Juliet,” she cried, " you are really getting 
stout and matronly.” 


294 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Yes, it began in- England. Perhaps it 
was drinking tea. But you look rather tired.” 

“ There was so much to do to-day. And 
then I hurried off. But I am very well.” 

“ We shall all be so glad to have you. When 
our matter was decided Wilma said at once, 
* Now we must send for cousin Helen.’ ” 

“ And you are — satisfied ? ” 

Well — I should like to have kept her a 
year or two longer, and for both of the girls to 
go near together ! They have never been 
apart since their step-mother sent them to 
school.” 

“ And how does Elma take it ? ” 

‘‘ She has been wonderfully interested. And 
the prospective brother-in-law has been very 
generous to her, counting her in for most 
everything. But of course they cannot live 
together.” 

“ And Wilma ? ” suggestively. 

“ You see, the mother owns the house. They 
have always been together, even when he was 
studying abroad. So it would be cruel to part 
them. And she is quite as much in love with 
Wilma as the son is. She has always wanted 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 295 

a daughter. I am only afraid she will spoil 
her.’’ 

“ That is really delightful.’’ 

“ Yes. But I have become so fond of girls 
that I am looking around for some others, 
partly grown. They are such an interest. 
And it will be so long before baby Theo will 
be a big girl.” 

“ But don’t you ever mean to marry, 
Juliet?” 

Are there not women who fulfill their des- 
tiny in a single life? I have everything I 
want, and unbounded liberty to take up any 
fad that I fancy,” laughing. ‘‘ I do like being 
my own mistress. And single women are com- 
ing to the fore. You meet some splendid ones 
in the city. When you find recreant husbands 
and unhappy wives you are thankful the hus- 
band does not belong to you.” 

‘‘And you know we were to live together, 

like the maids of Llangollen, in our old 

>> 

age. 

“ And you could not keep the faith. You 
have spoiled it all. Seems to me Gordon Dan- 
forth is a great wanderer.” 


296 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

‘‘ I think Mr. Hildreth has about adopted 
him.” 

The house lights shone over the lawn, mak- 
ing edges of gold on the evergreens. The 
girls rushed out on the porch to welcome 
cousin Helen. Mrs. Howard stood inside the 
door with Theo by the hand, who said, “ Wel- 
come, cousin Helen,” and the tall girl stooped 
to kiss the golden-haired midget. 

The fire was blazing brightly. It was 
spring by the calendar, but winter was still 
hovering out of doors, as if loath to let go. 
Oh, it was delightfully homey! 

“ Let the maid take your wraps. Dinner 
is ready, and you must be famished.” 

What a lovely picture of comfort and re- 
fined elegance it was. For a moment Helen 
was almost envious. 

They were merry enough round the table, 
recounting some of the later happenings; and 
now and then a bit would flash out of their 
journey abroad. There had been letters from 
the Foxcroft girls. One of them was to be 
married in the spring. 

‘‘ And it is to that Mr. Romer we met. He 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 297 

used to be there a good deal, but I never 
thought of him as a lover for Edith. He was 
a sort of superintendent in the factory, and 
has been taken in as a partner. She writes 
as if she is extremely happy.’’ 

“Well, aren’t you?” And Elma’s eyes 
flashed with a teasing light. “ I suppose it is 
the same all the world over when a man loves 
you.” 

Wilma turned rosy red. 

“ Or you love him,” appended Helen. 

She thought of Ada Cranston’s wild folly. 
Was it not a libel on love to call it that? 
Wilma was so sincere, so honest. She brought 
his photograph to show Helen. An attractive, 
rather artistic face, with a subtle air of refine- 
ment. 

He called in the next morning on his way 
to the city. Helen fancied that something 
about him suggested Mr. Gartney, and spoke 
of it to Juliet. 

“ I thought so too, at first. The intangible 
resemblance puzzled me when I first knew him. 
If he makes as lovely a husband — well, we 
know nothing of the children’s mother, but 


298 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

I do think the second marriage was a great 
mistake. Still, if it had not been we should 
not have known the children in all probability. 
How oddly other people’s lives — and deaths 
also — cross ours, and how we are mixed up 
in this queer world.” 

Helen flushed, thinking how many events 
had grown out of the old school days at Mrs. 
Aldred’s. 

“ I wonder what became of the second wife,” 
Juliet continued retrospectively. ‘‘We should 
have made inquiries about her. I do not think 
she has won any considerable fame or we 
should have heard. Yet her verses were 
beautiful, and certainly unlike her real self. 
SomehoW' — I have been rather distrustful of 
this kind of genius since. And of the women 
who seem so earnest and eager in taking up 
the world’s work, but who never bear the 
real brunt of the labor. There is a great deal 
of pretense in the world.” 

“ And I have known some lovely, honest, 
high-minded people. Oh, Juliet, you ought 
not lose faith.” 

“ I am not losing it, my dear. I have a 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 299 

great deal more than I began with. But I 
have gained a clearer insight as well. I listen 
affably to these glowing, high-wrought senti- 
ments, and find that the speaker’s real work 
does not correspond. I have a passion for 
pure honesty. Oh, I wish there was more of 
it in the world.” 

“It is a difficult thing, to be purely honest 
in every matter. You may come to see things 
in a different light.” 

“ Then we should be honest enough to ad- 
mit it.” 

Helen wondered. She, too, had despised 
shams and deceptions. Yet had she not been 
living a two-sided life, not quite sure which 
would be the most satisfying in the years to 
come? If she had made a mistake! Oh, 
would not love know? 

It was a mild spring day, and they went 
for a drive just after luncheon. The trees 
were budding, the crocuses in the grass had 
begun to show color. There was the fra- 
grance of the new growth of pine and spruce 
and hemlock that the peculiar moisture of the 
warming-up earth brought out. The sun 


300 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

spread great golden patches about, with little 
shade to break them. 

Helen was surprised at several beautiful 
new homes that had sprung up in the night, 
it seemed to her. Oh, it was quite different 
from Westfield; and she smiled to herself. 
Yet there were beautiful places just out of 
the busy old town. 

Hallin Royse was to come to dinner, but 
they were home a good hour before that 
time. Wilma took possession of Helen. 
How glad and joyous she was; as if her 
whole soul had been set anew to delightful 
music. 

I want you to like him," she began in 
her soft, half-pleading tone. I think most 
people admire him, and I am glad of that. 
Then he is a fine musician. He and Aunt Jue 
play together so splendidly on the organ and 
the piano. That was what called him here 
at first. And he thinks Aunt Jue has a re- 
markable gift of improvising, and wonders 
that she hasn't done something with it. He 
has written out several things and sent them 
to a New York publisher, who pronounced 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 3OI 

them fine. And he gave me some lessons. I 
wasn’t dreaming that he cared for me. I felt 
just free and sort of at home with him. And 
his mother is such a lovely woman. She likes 
to have both of us girls come over often. The 
house is much smaller than ours, but it is just 
an exquisite nest. And when he spoke — oh! 
it was so wonderful, I couldn’t believe it all. 
I think that at first Aunt Jue didn’t quite like 
it. Not that she had anything against him, 
only it seemed to make a break in the home. 
And we had planned to go to Holland and 
Germany next summer and — oh! enough jour- 
neys and pleasures to last until we were quite 
old women. Oh, cousin Helen, do you think 
it very selfish for me to take a joy that will 
be all my own? For though you may keep 
all the old loves, you can never give away 
any part of this; and the curious thing is, you 
don’t want to.” 

Wilma laughed with a soft delight, her eyes 
limpid with joy. 

‘‘ No, you couldn’t,” commented Helen. 

“ And some day Elma will have a lover. 
I hope he will live nearby, so Aunt Juliet won’t 


302 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

miss US too much. I shall go to Mrs. Royse’s 
— she is counting so much on it. She has 
always longed for a daughter. It will be like 
having a real mother; not that selfish step- 
mother that crowded us out of our home and 
papa’s heart — or at least tried to. And Aunt 
Juliet has been like a real relation. You know 
father gave us to her. And she has been so 
good to us. I never knew all, until — well, 
until I was engaged. Then she said father 
had left some money, enough to educate us 
— it was our own dear mamma’s, with a little 
he had added to it. But she wouldn’t use it, 
and has given us this delightful home and our 
education, and the money has been turned over 
and over, and Uncle Howard has put it into 
something that pays well. Hallin insists that 
it is to be settled on me; so you see, I am an 
heiress in a small way,” and the girl laughed 
joyously. 

‘‘ Oh ! I just wish papa could come back to 
see me married.” 

Helen smiled at the desire. How much hap- 
piness Juliet had given these two girls, and 
what blessedness it had been to her. 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 303 

Then Mr. Royse came and they went down 
to greet him. Helen thought him a young 
girl’s ideal lover. And, though he made no 
secret of his devotion, he was not foolishly 
effusive. 

They spent a delightful evening, and on 
Sunday they all went to Mrs. Royse’s to din- 
ner, except Mrs. Howard and Theo, who 
seemed to have added a dozen new charms 
to her old ones. 

‘‘ I watch out for faults,” said Juliet, but 
she is so tractable and merry, so easily pleased 
with everything, so loving. I should like to 
know what her parents were like, or whether 
it is simply a case of environment. But we 
often hear good news from the children 
adopted out. Love and home work wonders. 
Yes, we let hundreds of them grow up to 
become criminals because men and women 
have not faith enough to save them.” 

Helen found Mrs. Royse a really charming 
person. The silvery threads in the light, wavy 
hair gave it a glistening look. Her gray and 
white silk, with its fine laces and one diamond 
at her throat, was simple and ladylike. In her 


304 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

manner, friendliness showed as well as good 
breeding. 

“ I hope you are going to be pleased with 
Wilma's choice,” she said in a delicate fashion. 

“ She has told me about her school days, when 
you and Miss Craven were so good to the 
poor orphaned children. I think my son could 
not have suited himself better, and you know 
he has been about a good deal, and I could 
not ask for a dearer daughter.” 

Helen was deeply touched by the mother’s 
sincere approval, and the meeting was a real 
pleasure to her. Mr. Royse was a charm- ^ 
ing host. Yes, the girl would be very 
happy and give freely of her own sweet 
nature. 

They talked of journeys abroad, of music 
and wonderful singers, of the churches he had 
seen outside of England, and of some of the 
famous oratorios. Then he had to go for 
the evening service, and he escorted the two 
girls. 

It is like a leaf out of a fairy book,” said 
Helen. “ It puts one in love with love itself. 
I’m not sure but it is best to fall in love in 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 305 

your early youth when hopes and dreams have 
a superlative radiance,” and she gave a soft 
laugh. 

‘‘ Is it all right with you, Helen? You say 
so little — and Mr. Danforth has been away so 
long ” 

Helen made an effort to steady her voice. 

“ Oh, you know I have never been a roman- 
tic girl. There have been so many things 
beside love to my life. When I might have 
indulged in rhapsody, I was planning to get 
to college; and study — teaching has interested 
me so much. And there have been so many 
friends. I wonder if I have divided myself 
up too much? But the odd thing is that I 
keep all the old ones as well as those that are 
newer. Why, Mrs. Wilmarth begs me to 
come down to Hope and give them a talk. 
Oh, do you remember that old time? I shall 
begin to think soon that I have lived many 
lives.” 

What sent that old verse of Evelyn Hope 
spinning through her brain? 

Lived so much since then — 

Given up myself so many times ; — ** 


3o6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Had she really given up herself? And was 
she not evading the main question? Oh, let 
her have a semblance of honesty, at least. 

“ You see, after all, we have not had much 
of each other. I have not seen him since that 
brief welcome home from abroad. Of course 
there have been letters. I wonder if either 
of us have changed in this time. Oh, life does 
keep you so busy! I ought to live to be old, 
to have a little leisure.” 

Then the friends parted, and she was on 
her way home in the bright April morning. 
There was a half-resentful feeling stirring 
within her. Gordgn’s letters had been full of 
the daily happenings, of the desire of earnest 
living, of the work on every hand; but they 
had ceased to be the ardent love letters with 
which their engagement had begun. Was it 
because she had withheld so much of herself? 
Had he changed? Well, if he put work in 
the foreground, so had she; if he had ambi- 
tions, so had she. What if both might reach 
a higher standing, apart! 

After all, was success so much to a woman ? 
Perhaps Miss Marian Trevor was satisfied 


TRYING TO ADJUST EXPERIENCE 307 

with it. She wondered why the fine presence, 
the trained voice, the kindling eye, the half- 
sarcasms, and the scorn of what was esteemed 
womanly weakness should haunt her so per- 
sistently ! She aid not want that kind of fame, 
she could not teach that sort of selfishness. 

She made her change of trains, watched the 
little towns as they sped by. No one inter- 
rupted her with a welcome. She was a little 
late, and hurried along to the school. 


CHAPTER XIV 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 

The children were in line, marching into 
school. Miss Jaynes gave her a nod of pleas- 
ure. Mr. Underwood crossed the hall with 
news in his face. 

‘‘ They came in at four yesterday. Mr. 
Hildreth says he is well, but he looks poorly. 
And you would hardly know that young Dan- 
forth.’’ 

She went up to her floor. There were joy- 
ous greetings. We were afraid you weren’t 
coming,” said half a dozen voices. They gath- 
ered for the opening exercises. How manly 
some of the big boys looked as they bowed 
politely. Every morning she and Dick East- 
man exchanged a look that said so much. 
This morning it was gladness — that he was 
well and in good spirits, and prepared for 
perfect recitations. 


308 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 309 

The morning passed quickly. Nothing oc- 
curred to bother. Only it seemed as if she 
could never get away from the children. She 
went home to lunch in fair weather. Halfway 
up the hill, Ruth Millard had hold of her 
frock, and Allen walked beside her until they 
had to turn off. 

Some one came from the Hildreth house 
and intercepted her. Yes, he had changed 
curiously. The boyish uplift was gone and in 
its place was a firm manliness, a power in every 
line. And he had grown much stouter. 

He bent over and kissed her with a sort 
of grave sweetness. 

It has been such a long, long while,” he 
said. “ There is a good deal of unwritten 
story between. Will you come to us this 
afternoon? Mr. Hildreth is wild to see you. 
He was rather upset with the journey, but will 
be himself in a few days.” 

‘‘ Yes,” hardly noting what reply she made. 

You look splendid, Helen.” 

And you are — why, I am almost afraid of 
you!” 

Her glance wavered and fell, her cheeks 


310 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

burned like flame. She laughed, with a touch 
of embarrassment, as they paused at the 
walk. 

Your time is precious, I know. I couldn’t 
meet you before all that raft of children, so 

if I do not come down this afternoon 

I would rather you did not. This after- 
noon, then — — ” and a strange light wavered 
in her eyes. 

He bowed and left her. There was a new 
power in his personality, and it had a curious 
influence over her. 

‘‘ They came home yesterday,” Mrs. Stir- 
ling began, and there were callers until Mr. 
Hildreth had to excuse himself. He must 
have been pretty ill to have weakened so much. 
And oh, how glad he was to be at home ! Did 
you go in ? ” 

“ It would have been an aggravation-,” re- 
turned Helen, or I must have gone without 
my luncheon. And I had breakfast early 
this morning so as to catch my train.” 

She was not so very hungry after all, and 
was glad that Mrs. Stirling kept up the talk. 
Then she hurried off again. 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 3II 

How queer and strange the meeting had 
been; like old friends, not lovers. They might 
have parted yesterday. There were some new 
impressions that she half resented — as if they 
could not belong to this time; yet they surely 
had not been in the past. 

If the morning had gone smoothly, the 
afternoon did not. Lester Field was almost 
equal to the old time Dick Eastman, though 
without the maliciousness. He could mispro- 
nounce a word so that half the class would 
be in a giggle, or give a queer answer, with 
the most innocent face. Sometimes he fairly 
bubbled over with fun. And Archie Varick 
was obstinate about a Latin line; and two or 
three of the girls evidently had some secret 
on hand, and were holding up books, pretend- 
ing to study, while they talked in what was 
vulgarly called ‘‘ Hog Latin.’’ Examples went 
wrong — and she felt very tired and a good deal 
annoyed. 

Mr. Underwood kept her talking. “ I am 
really alarmed about Mr. Hildreth,” he said. 

I don’t know what we should do without 
him. But he did get so awfully tired last night 


312 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

that I just pulled Laura away by main strength. 
I suppose you had a good time.” 

“ I always do at Kingsland. And one of 
my friend’s young girls has a lover; an ad- 
mirable young man, who isn’t poverty poor, 
and bids fair to make quite a name in the 
future. They will be married in the summer.” 

“ Mr. Mills was in to see me on Saturday 
evening, and asked about that girl. Edgar 
begins to feel quite at home in his new school, 
but he would much rather be at Westfield. 
They have a crack ball club, which seems to 
comfort him, though he is not in it. I do 
wish it had not happened. She should have 
known better.” 

“ Her mother is another of the silly women. 
And I don’t see what outlook there is for Ada 
as a teacher. She hasn’t one requisite.” 

Oh, two years may develop her.” 

“ Or she may marry,” laughed Helen sar- 
castically. “ Girls who set resolutely about 
the matter generally do.” 

Which doesn’t allow much for the wisdom 
of men in general. I only hope she won’t set 
her heart on another schoolboy.” 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 


313 

“ I join you there most sincerely. We don’t 
want to lose any more of our boys.” 

Then Helen hurried home and changed her 
dress. She dreaded, yet desired the inter- 
view. 

‘‘ I don’t suppose I shall be home to dinner,” 
she announced. 

“ Oh, no. They will have so much to tell 
you. To think of going over to Alaska, and 
then down — Goodness only knows where — and 
all over the United States. I don’t wonder he 
was worn out.” 

Mr. Hildreth was watching at the window, 
and opened the door himself. He clasped his 
arms about Helen and, much moved, exclaimed. 

My dear, dear child ! ” leading her into the 
library, where there was a cheerful grate fire. 

“ I am so glad to be at home again ! I doubt 
if I ever undertake another as long journey; 
but part of it was compulsory. I don’t know 
what I should have done without Gordon — 
things at Rockfort were in such a condition. 
And then the tragic ending ! ^ But we won’t 
talk about that. Have you been well? And 
how are school matters? I missed my talk — 


314 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

unless I should get well enough to have it later 
on,” with a faint smile. 

“ They have all been delightful. Mr. Field, 
the father of eight children, gave one, and it 
was splendid; about Mark Twain. And Mr. 
Eastman was excellent. The principal of 
Ridgewood high school came over — think of 
that! — and instructed us in civics.” 

Why, there couldn’t have been any lack of 
interest. Mr. and Mrs. Underwood were up 
last evening. Certainly, I had a warm wel- 
come.” 

He leaned back in the chair. Yes, he had 
changed a good deal. The old-time vigor had 
given place to languor; and he was much 
thinner. It went to Helen’s heart. 

He reached over and took her hand. It 
was so warm, so full of life. 

“ I remember when I first saw you — at your 
college, at Professor Yarrow’s. I think I 
didn’t make any mistake, though Underwood 
was quite dubious. When have you heard 
from your friends?” 

“ I spent part of my Christmas vacation with 
them. And they are both joyous over a new 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 315 

little son. Angela is really an admirable child. 
The mother is one of the happiest of women; 
as you once said, ‘ the best balanced.’ ” 

** She takes her time and looks well into 
matters before she decides. She is such a 
good trainer of girls and women that one re- 
grets to have her out of the ranks where such 
as she are needed.” 

‘‘ She is still at it,” returned Helen, smiling. 
“ I don’t think she can ever quite relinquish it. 
I wish she was as rich as my friend. Miss 
Craven. She would have such wide influence 
on society.” 

They lapsed into silence. Not a year ago 
Mr. Hildreth had joined her hand to Gordon’s 
and pronounced over them a solemn benedic- 
tion. Her whole soul had assented. What 
had happened since? Had she been hasty, 
swayed by some irresistible power? Was it 
truly love ? Whatever had happened, she must 
keep the faith — at any sacrifice. What was 
the sacrifice? Was it the possibility of rising 
from station to station, making for herself a 
name among intellectual people — grasping the 
great truths that were stirring the world. 


3I6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

working for them, perhaps fighting for them? 
Winning some approval, perhaps; probably 
some unfriendly criticism. And then — ^ — 

‘‘Won’t you have a light?” asked Mrs. 
Ruden from the doorway. “ Dinner is ready, 
and Mr. Danforth has brought a pile of mail 
up from the office.” 

They both rose. Mr. Hildreth put his hand 
on her shoulder. 

“ Helen,” he said solemnly, “ I want you to 
be very good to my boy, Gordon, now and 
always.” 

Gordon’s greeting was bright and cordial, 
and they took their places at the table. 

“ I feel as if I had been away a year,” began 
Mr. Hildreth. “ Indeed, many a year has not 
seemed as long. And I had begun to think 
that Westfield could not get along without me. 
Now they talk of making us over into a city ! 
We could have applied two years ago; but 
cities are expensive luxuries. Still, there are 
so many new people and so much new busi- 
ness — and there are some advantages.” 

“ Oh, they wouldn’t do anything without 
you,” Helen returned quickly. “ This and that 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 317 

project was put aside until your return. Mr. 
Henderson is one of your stanchest admirers, 
and Mr. Underwood thinks, ' The King can 
do no wrong.’ ” 

She ended with a gay, light laugh. 

I am afraid the ‘ King ’ must abdicate. 
Why, you know I am getting quite on the 
elderly list. And when a man succumbs to 
that insiduous enemy, illness, he has to pause 
and remember that he is no longer impervious 
to the arrows and slings of time; and it be- 
hooves him, then, to look forward and plan 
for a serene and happy old age.” 

And he had planned to have her in it. She 
knew that. 

He was as much interested in the school 
as ever, and he wanted to hear how the young 
men were developing; what hopes they had 
for a grand Commencement this year; and if 
the new scholars had been satisfactory to her. 
He was delighted that Mr. Underwood had 
declined the advancement offered to him. 

“ You will think my eagerness for gossip a 
sure sign of the oncoming of age,” he said 
gayly to Helen as they rose. 


3i8 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

There was a little more talk over the fire, 
then Mr. Hildreth begged them to excuse him. 
He was rather weary and would retire. And, 
no doubt, they had arrears of talk to make up, 
giving them both a tender smile. 

They wished him a cordial good-night. 

A curious silence fell upon them. Gordon 
was standing at the side of the grate, leaning 
his elbow on the mantel. He had always been 
a manly young fellow, now he was “ the full 
measure of a man,” with strength in every line 
of the well developed figure, and a high purpose 
in every line of his face. And though curi- 
ously changed, he had not lost that potent 
individuality which had attracted her attention 
when she first saw him standing on the lawn 
at Mrs. Aldred’s. What odd fate had crossed 
their paths here and there ? 

He came over and seated himself in the chair 
beside her, taking possession of her hand in a 
manner that stirred every pulse of her being — 
yet she was conscious of a secret revolt. 

We have known so little of each other 
since last September! It was partly my fault. 
Something so unexpected happened to me — so 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 3 IQ 

overwhelming — that, at first, I hardly knew 
how to take it and accept the changes that it 
might bring/' 

Had she been supplanted ? She had thought 
so much of what her own life might be to her, 
but she had not wholly decided to give up her 
engagement. And no woman even a little in 
love could endure the first thought of another 
being preferred to her. 

He felt the soft fingers he held stiffen a 
little. Was she bracing herself? 

‘‘ It was before I came to bid you ‘ welcome 
home ' — a week or so. A sudden something 
happened to my right eye. It was like a black 
blot, some ways that I turned it. There was 
no pain of any kind, but I went to an oculist 
at once. Of course we hear of people stricken 
with blindness in a few hours, or losing sight 
gradually " 

Oh, Gordon ! " It was a pathetic cry. 

“ He said it was a slight paralysis of a little 
bit of the optic nerve; it might grow worse, 
and it might never increase until old age. He 
was a young man, but very ambitions and a 
great student. We had been quite friends. 


320 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

He gave me some kindly advice; not to get 
nervous over it, but, for tHe present, to give 
up reading or writing; to live a good deal out 
of doors, and wait patiently until time could 
decide the case. Oh, you can’t think ! I was 
almost crazy over it! For I had never 
dreamed of such a thing as blindness! My 
eyes had always been so strong — I could study 
and read all night without even a headache.” 

Oh, Gordon ! ” she said again, and hid her 
face on his shoulder. She felt stunned. 

“ Dear, it may not be so bad after all. I 
went to a distinguished specialist in New York, 
who made it out a very serious case; pre- 
scribed treatment, with a possible operation 
and a dark room for several weeks. It almost 
crushed me. Then I remembered an eminent 
surgeon who had really saved the sight of one 
of my college mates. He agreed with my 
Niagara doctor, gave me the same good advice 
of not worrying, and charged me, in any new 
emergency, to come to him at once, and never 
to consent to any operation until I had con- 
sulted him.” 

And you bore this all alone ! ” Her voice 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 32 1 

was freighted with infinite pity — self-con- 
demnation as well. 

‘‘ What was there to say ? I thought I could 
endure the waiting better alone,” and the 
bravery of his tone touched her. “ I don’t 
know whether it was an obstinate hope that 
upheld me, but I went back quite comforted. 
There, awaiting me, was a letter announcing 
my friend’s return; another, from a young fel- 
low, graduated in civil engineering, who had 
heard of an outlook in Canada and begged me 
to go with him for a fortnight or so. I had 
meant to return to Yale and finish my reading 
fcr the next degree. I knew I could do enough 
clerical work to support me meantime. But 
this seemed a Godsend. I could not summon 
the courage to see you,” and his voice had a 
little falter in it. “ I was not ready to confess 
the painful secret. I resolved to wait a little — 
and this came in so opportunely. So I accom- 
panied him to Ottawa; and the companionship 
of a fine, vigorous fellow helped to restore 
my courage.” 

She remembered that she had felt annoyed 
at what seemed like indifference; that she had 


322 HELEN GRANT’S HARVEST YEAR 

expected more attention; that she had won- 
dered if women were of less account to men 
than they believed. She could not trust her 
voice for the comment that trembled on her 
lips. 

‘^Yes; I went at once, and we set out on 
our journey. It was a wild, lonely place, 
where a spur of road had been started some 
two years before, to open up the country and 
shorten the distance between two important 
points. There was also a small bridge to build 
over a river. And when we reached the place, 
we found all in the wildest confusion. The 
paymaster and the superintendent had de- 
camped, the laborers were almost starving, 
the work just where delay might bring ruin. 
Word had been sent to the company, and two 
of the commissioners appeared the next day 
with money and food; and, after a good deal 
of talk, order was in some degree restored. 
They were most glad to have my friend and 
would have engaged me until the end, I had 
recalled so much of my old knowledge. I de- 
clare to you, Helen, I almost forgot about 
my eye. And those poor fellows, so far from 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 323 

home comforts and civilization — my heart 
ached for them ! ’’ 

“ And you longed to turn missionary ? she 
said, with a quick breath. It was one of the 
first things that had made her doubt the wis- 
dom of her choice. 

Oh, one could not help it, who had the 
cause of humanity at heart. I thought of the 
brave men who went out to convert the Indians 
— that Parkman wrote about — to save souls; 
and I wondered if any were so heroic now. 
I did get deeply interested. The company was 
— shall I say, most grateful? You see, it was 
of importance to get as much as was possible 
done before winter. And then Mr. Hildreth 
wrote to know if I would not go out to Alaska 
with him, as there was some business there de- 
manding his immediate attention, and he did 
not want to undertake the long, hard journey 
alone. I wonder if I am adventurous? I was 
no longer needed in Canada, though, as I said, 
the company would have gladly kept me. It 
was a wonderful journey. I shall always be 
glad I took it. Some day we will talk it over. 

“As I understand the matter, these two 


324 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

friends of Mr. Hildreth’s had developed a 
wonderful tract of land rich in coal and iron 
and some other valuable minerals. They were 
men of high probity and capacity, and — ^though 
I don’t believe he cared so much for the pos- 
sible fortune — he was glad to help his friends, 
in whom he had the utmost trust. And now 
they were in difficulty and perhaps on the verge 
of ruin. 

“ Some years before this he had saved a 
young fellow from a prison term for forgery, 
who had been in great want and temptation. 
Then he found a place for him to begin over 
again. He was most grateful, it seemed, and 
after three honest years he sent him out to 
these friends. With a fortune in his very 
grasp he turned recreant again. He began to 
gamble; to drink, of course; to plunge the firm 
into difficulties before it was really mistrusted ; 
and he abstracted two important deeds, which 
they were afraid he had turned over to a 
syndicate who were most anxious to get pos- 
session of the whole tract. And now the ques- 
tion was whether it was best to fight, or give 
up, and make the best terms they could. The 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 325 

syndicate was bringing suit. If they could 
not produce the deeds it would go hard with 
them. Detectives were on the trail of this 
Merwin, who had been seen in different places. 
But at last he was found, gambling in a saloon 
and accused of cheating. There was a terrific 
time and some shooting; and Merwin had 
fallen, after he had shot two of his opponents. 
The detectives went at once, and insisted that 
the body should be exhumed. His watch and 
his large roll of money had been taken by the 
officials, and he had been buried with scant 
ceremony. The detectives instituted a new 
and thorough search, and, in the lining of a 
garment, found some papers and the two deeds, 
which proved the case to the satisfaction of 
the court and decided the true ownership of 
the tract. It was almost like beginning their 
fortunes over again. Mr. Hildreth felt the 
more deeply impelled to stand by them, because 
he had in a way answered for young Merwin. 
But the struggle had worn upon him and he 
had undergone some exposure. We went to 
Portland and there he collapsed; was for sev- 
eral days seriously ill, and was ordered farther 


326 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

south at the very earliest date. I was nurse 
and friend and secretary. I was glad to do 
all I could for him, and I learned how truly 
and nobly generous he had been to more than 
one poor soul; how he had helped in education, 
and in placing many a person where he could 
take care of himself. While we were at San 
Francisco I confessed to him my haunting fear, 
though I had in a great degree overcome it. 
We saw some of the best oculists. It was the 
same verdict — uncertainty.” 

“ Oh, how brave you were to bear it so 
cheerfully ! ” 

The words seemed wrested from her. 

“ My dear, it seemed one of the things per- 
mitted. Something went wrong, of course. 
I had not been using my eyes imprudently at 
that period. There was nothing but accept- 
ance of what God might send as the issue. I 
had most of my education ; I had trained myself 
as an extempore speaker; I could still do God’s 
work ; that was nearest my heart.” 

All this while she had been thinking of her 
own advancement; of what she could do and 
win, independent of any one. Her heart sud- 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 327 

denly smote her. A touch of shame, of pas- 
sionate regret surged through her. 

“ So you understand what changed my let- 
ters a little. You had once teased me about 
their exuberance. The trouble and illness did 
interfere somewhat; but I had no right to 
deepen any impression until you knew the 
truth.” 

“ Oh ! did you think, could you think — — ” 
and her voice broke, with a touch of remorseful 
pain. 

“ Let us look at it dispassionately,” and his 
tone was at once tender and strong. “ I may 
never do quite what I aimed at. I had a good 
deal of pride and ambition. You don't know 
what I have learned in these months with 
Mr. Hildreth. To bear manfully whatever 
God sends; to do His work in a limited way 
if He so appoints. But to shadow another 
life ” 

‘‘ Oh ! you don't mean — you can't think for 
a moment, that ” and Helen's eyes over- 

flowed. 

‘‘ Hush, dear, it is a subject for considera- 
tion. Do you remember — ‘ What is required 


328 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

of thee — to do justly, to love mercy, and to 
walk humbly before thy God.’ I want ‘ to do 
justly.’ I could not take your life that may 
have so many worthy things in it — ambitions 
that you could realize, rich experiences that it 
would be hard to miss — and let this shadow 
hang over it. It would be cowardly on my 
part. And now I must ‘ walk humbly,’ not 
knowing, like the great apostle, what may be- 
fall me. Life has hardly begun yet. We are 
both young. And if the worst should happen, 
there is still much work that I could do in the 
great cause. I shall give up nothing that is 
right or a duty.” 

She was hardly listening to what he said; 
yet, in that sort of double personality, she 
heard it and was going over her life since she 
had accepted his love with joyous consent. 
Since then, she had been studying her own 
satisfactions, worldly aims through which she 
could attain to heights on which other women 
had stood ; marriage at the last, when it would 
no longer fetter. 

All this time there had been the duty to 
shape her thoughts, her plans, her life to the 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 329 

divine fellowship of love. She could, in 
a measure, accept freedom. But a sudden re- 
morseful tenderness overwhelmed her. Was 
not life-giving higher and nobler than self- 
seeking? Would not love be a holier guide 
and shelter? 

“ Oh ! if you think I should be afraid to go 
out and meet bravely any shadow of God’s 
sending, you are wrong. Perhaps I have wan- 
dered a little, in the multiplicity of duties and 
pleasures. I can’t help going whole-heartedly 
into whatever interests me, and it may not 
always be the right thing. But I couldn’t have 
played the role of a lovelorn girl when I knew 
you were at what you considered duties. Per- 
haps I shall not make a good clergyman’s wife. 
It would go hard with me to be content in 
Leslie Morse’s sphere. And when you were 
in Canada, and so interested in those poor, 
ignorant workmen and their dreary lives, I did 
ask myself if I could share that. Let me be 
honest. I did shrink from the work. I said, 
then, you were a born missionary. I might 
do some good work elsewhere ” 

“ But I should never ask a woman to go 


330 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

out to such a v^ilderness; to suffer cold, hunger 
oftentimes, dreariness; to be far away from 
friends and the amenities of life. It is a man’s 
work if he is brave enough to devote his life 
or some years to it. A brave man came there, 
a man of middle life, who had lost wife and 
children, so I left them in good hands. The 
company was not all for self when they learned 
how things had gone. They found the pay- 
master afterward, and I suppose he is doing 
prison work somewhere. The swindling had 
been going on some little time. I can’t un- 
derstand how a few weeks or months of wild 
license and extravagance can be an offset to 
disgrace and imprisonment for years. Sooner 
or later justice overtakes these men, or else 
they must be perpetually in hiding. And there 
was the tragedy at Unalik. Oh, the homes 
of the world need to give their children more 
thorough training in honesty and integrity be- 
fore they send them out to fight the battles 
of life! And I think, Helen, you have had 
some of the very best training for a clergy- 
man’s wife. You can never guess how we 
have talked you over in the long hours of 


GATHERING UP LOOSE ENDS 33 1 

recovery from illness. It would be a sad 
thing, for love’s sake, to give you up; but for 
duty ” 

The duty was accepted last summer. Do 
you think I am going back now when you need 
me — or ought to? ” 

There was a break in her voice, and he knew 
it came over tears. He bent and kissed her; 
and Helen Grant knew that at last she had 
made her life’s election. There would be no 
further questioning. The curious processes of 
the personal will would be merged into that 
nobler conception of human fellowship, of 
duties on every hand. 

Gordon bent over and kissed her again. 

“ I shall always need you. You are seldom 
out of my mind long at a time. The winter 
has been happier to me because we could talk 
of you, but we both agreed that you must 
know at once what had befallen me, and the 
uncertainty. I do not mean to distress my 
parents with it unless it should grow rapidly 
worse. You and Mr. Hildreth are my con- 
fidents. I shall go back to Yale and get my 
Artium Magister, and then look me up a place 


332 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

to stand in and do the work that is nearest 
my heart.” 

And you must let me help you,” she said 
with deep fervor. Whatever comes, we will 
share it together.” 

‘‘ Heaven bless you for that comfort. 
Though I don’t think I ever doubted you. 
But I felt that you must know all, and that it 
lay with you to give me the right again; that 
I could hardly claim it.” 

“ It was yours,” she returned proudly. 

They were silent for many minutes, clasping 
each other’s hands in the delight of youth, and 
love, and confidence restored. Yes, she had 
missed the sure trust. She had been hewing 
out broken cisterns; she had been looking out 
over the wide fields, considering the harvest 
she should reap from self -advancement; and 
self was the tares that had sprung up among 
the wheat. Would the latter be strong enough 
to smother their unprofitable growth ? 



“ Do YOU THINK I AM GOING BACK NOW WHEN YOU NEED 

Page 332. 


ME? ” 





CHAPTER XV 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 

Helen Grant had said she should not sleep 
any, even if it was late when she laid her head 
upon her pillow. Her brain was alive with 
tumultuous thoughts, yet through it all was 
some soothing influence like the last strain of 
delicious music, and it lulled her to serenest 
slumbers. It was late when she went down to 
breakfast, in a half-bashful mood, as if her new 
resolve must be evident in her face — looking 
out of her eyes. 

“ Do you not think Mr. Hildreth looks 
poorly ? ’’ Mrs. Stirling asked. 

‘‘ Mr. Hildreth ? ” Why, she had almost 
forgotten. 

‘‘ He has always been so robust, I suppose 
we notice it the more easily.’' 

‘‘ The last of the journey was rather rough,” 
Helen returned. ‘‘ But I hope the old scenes 
and the old friends will quite restore him.” 


333 


334 


HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 


‘‘But think of the splendid journeys!” in- 
terposed Lilian. “ Oh, I do want to travel, to 
see these wonderful places. Isn’t a tourist 
party nice, Miss Grant? I couldn’t enjoy any- 
thing alone. And I’m afraid,” glancing at 
Mrs. Stirling, “ that aunt wouldn’t want to 
go very far.” 

“ No,” with a smile. “ Home is the best 
place for elderly people. But you- may find 
some one.” 

“ Where will you go next vacation. Miss 
Grant? ” 

Helen started, then laughed at her feeling 
of embarrassment. 

“ We had thought of Holland. But I don’t 
know,” doubtfully. 

“ I’ll go to London first.” 

“ That, I think, is the best. You hear your 
own language, and feel more at home. And 
there is a sort of motherliness that goes to 
one’s heart.” 

“ And think how long it is to vacation, to 
the real vacation.” 

“ I am afraid it won’t be long enough for 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 335 

She paused a moment at the Hildreth house. 
Mrs. Ruden answered the door. 

Mr. Hildreth had a rather restless night, 
but had just come down to his breakfast. He 
declared he felt better, though. Should she 
call the young gentleman? 

No,” answered Helen, flushing. I have 
not a moment to spare. I must hurry to 
school.” 

There were many cordial greetings, and 
everything went smoothly. But Helen felt in 
a strange, new world that she hardly dared to 
penetrate. She must keep close to the hourly 
duties. And somehow she found them mostly 
pleasant. The sunny day shed an exaltation 
all about. 

Just as they were closing in the afternoon, 
the Hildreth carriage stopped, and a boy was 
sent up to see if Miss Grant would take a drive. 

“ How grand we are ! ” said Ada Cranston. 

Do you suppose she is planning to catch that 
old man for his money? She hasn’t had a 
single admirer so far. But school teachers are 
mostly old maids.” 

“That Mr. Palmer from Ridgewood was 


33^ HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

wonderfully taken with her,” said Meta Hen- 
derson. ‘‘ Oh, girls, I hope she won’t marry 
until I have graduated. I don’t believe any 
one else could explain things so well; make 
you see through the puzzles. Why, these last 
ten days Westfield has seemed actually lone- 
some.” 

Ada wondered how the girls could be so 
blinded. 

Helen went down, nodding several good- 
bys. Gordon was on the back seat, and held 
out his hand to her. 

Couldn’t you stop a moment this morn- 
ing ? ” he began, with smiling reproach. 

No, I couldn’t possibly. We talked so late 
last night that I overslept.” 

It seems like a dream to me, after all the 
doubts and thoughts. I am going to New 
York for a very thorough examination by 
Dr. Agnew again; then to Brooklyn to see my 
people. Another sister is to be married, and 
my younger brother has decided to study med- 
icine. I may stay two or three days.” 

‘‘Yes? ” with a brief, indrawn breath. 

“ And you must go in and spend the even- 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 337 

ings with him” nodding to the front seat. 

He was very good last night. But there is 
so much still for us to say,” and he pressed 
her hand. 

She had not said half. She had come so 
near to disloyalty. What a sacred thing love 
really was! Why, she seemed just beginning 
to learn about it. 

They stopped at the station, and Gordon 
sprang out. Mr. Hildreth gave the reins to 
Martin, and stepped over to the back seat, 
drawing the robe securely about both of them. 

‘‘ I have had so many charges,” and he 
laughed lightly. “ But I think I am really 
well, only not quite as strong as usual. I don't 
know what I should have done without my 
excellent nurse. I think if Gordon’s heart was 
not so set on the ministry he would make a 
most admirable doctor. I used to think of 
that when he was caring for Arthur.” 

‘‘ Do you hear from Mrs. Holman? ” 

‘‘ Occasionally. There was a letter, when 
I reached home. She is very happy. They 
went to Moscow and St. Petersburg in the 
summer. She inquired after the old acquaint- 


338 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

ances, hoping that you and Miss Winters were 
on the high road to matrimony. Has her en- 
gagement been announced yet ? ” 

Helen gave an amused smile. I have not 
heard of it,” she returned. 

“And she still worships the Muses ? ” 

“ She has had several successes. Twice, I 
think, she has been paid for a poem. I wish 
she had real genius. It is so hard to succeed 
on a very small capital.” 

“ And the new scholars ? I have been away 
so long.” 

“ They are doing well, and the older ones 
are doing still better. You would hardly be- 
lieve what a fine debating club we have. Oh, 
we have not let Westfield deteriorate in your 
absence.” 

“ Was I missed very much ? ” 

He uttered it in a half-doubtful, half-amused 
tone. 

“ Oh, you were, you were! And if we had 

known you were so ill ” Her voice had a 

little tremble in it. 

“ I did not know myself until the worst was 
over. There was all that terrible business, and 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 339 

I was shocked at the duplicity of the man 
I believed was going on so well. He came 
near wrecking my other friends. Now they 
have made a stock company of the concern 
and hedged it about with many safeguards. 
They are fine, honorable men; after all, you do 
find some in the world. I think we are not 
as badly off as when there could not be found 
ten righteous men,” smiling a little. 

And your illness ? ” 

“ Well, it was that dreaded assailant, pneu- 
monia. Only the best and most watchful care 
pulled me through. For three days and nights 
Gordon never left me, sometimes taking brief 
naps at my bedside when the doctor was there. 
But I had a good constitution, and I suppose 
there was some more work in the world that 
the Lord wanted me to do. Then we went 
to the beautiful, luxurious, health-giving places. 
At San Francisco I found out Gk)rdon’s mis- 
fortune. He told you ? ” 

“ Yes,” in a tremulous breath. 

‘‘ The doctor sent him to a man, cashier in 
a bank, who had had the same happening ten 
years before, and it had never grown any 


340 HELEN GRANT^S HARVEST YEAR 

worse. That gave us a good deal of hope. 
And there is no pain or suffering about it. 
We will see Dr. Agnew and depend a good 
deal on what he says. He is a brave, cheerful 
fellow, and whatever happens he will never 
come to want. But he was a little afraid — it 
was only right to tell you.” 

‘‘ It was right,” she returned, with a sweet 
firmness in her voice. “ As if that would make 
a difference ! ” 

“ Oh, I knew it wouldn’t. But I had told 
him about Athol. I dare say I was enthusi- 
astic, as men are apt to be about a well-beloved 
daughter. And he thought you might have 
a splendid life of your own. And so you 
could, in these days when womanly courage, 
strength, and capability are being appreciated. 
Only a few vain and ignorant people are afraid 
of women being unsexed by superior educa- 
tion. But the highest crown of all is wifehood 
and motherhood, with an appreciative husband. 
Each gives a part of the holiest life to the 
other, and they are one in that true, high sense 
that is the crown of marriage.” 

She had not been esteeming it in its holiest 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 34I 

light. She knew now from what source Leslie 
Morse was drawing her happiness and content. 
Oh, she had been blind, willful, self-seeking. 

“ So I count myself a happy man. You two 
will always be very dear to me — I hardly need 
tell you that. And, Helen, you need not fear 
for the future 

Oh,*' she cried, “ do not be too generous, 
too indulgent. Let us work our way along 
until the dark days come — if they should. And 
we shall always be your grateful children." 

I want a little share in your happiness. 
You know, he knows now, how I missed mine, 
but God sometimes restores fourfold. He has 
given me prosperity and a heart to share it 
with my kind. But I have always wanted an 
abiding love in some young soul that I could 
watch as it grew and unfolded. There have 
been several young men that I have taken a 
deep interest in and assisted, but when they 
could do without me they went their ways, or, 
like the horseleech, cried for more. Gordon's 
uprightness and integrity struck me all through 
the Holman episode. He would accept no 
more than a just payment. As if mere money 


342 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

could have repaid him! And he has been a 
fine son to his father. I want Mr. and Mrs. 
Danforth to make me a visit, when Westfield 
adorns itself with the spring loveliness.” 

Oh, how thoughtful you are for every 
one’s pleasure.” 

Martin had turned homeward. 

‘‘You will come in this evening?” he said. 
“ I have not seen you in so long, and there are 
such arrears of talk to make up.” 

Would she ever have time to take herself 
in hand, to analyze, to see where she had gone 
astray in her own vain self-estimation? 

But she went in, bright and cheerful. How 
many selves there were to people! She had 
moments of exquisite happiness — and then 
conscience came in and clouded it over; said 
she really had no right to it until she had 
repented all the vain and egotistic aspirations. 

But it was very pleasant to be sitting there, 
at the end of the library table, and Mr. Hildreth 
beside the grate, where he could watch every 
expression that flitted over her face. She, too, 
was delighted to glance up and find such appre- 
ciation. It reminded her of the old girlhood 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 343 

days when she had read to Mr. Bell. How 
happy they were. Two lovely daughters, with 
their growing families; Shirley, who had 
slipped unconsciously into her place; Willard, 
who was growing into a fine, strong, upright 
man, fitted for public life some day; and 
though he adored Shirley and the babies, the 
vein of delicate romance that had pleased her 
so in Mr. Bell was quite lacking. But Mr. 
Bell could never have been a public man, nor 
addressed an audience with the fervor that 
inspired, nor pleaded an intricate case. 

Mr. Hildreth had gone on with a cultured 
and ever widening-out life. It was not all for 
himself, neither did he disdain his neighbor of 
a simpler mind, or even an arbitrary one. 
He need not choose such a man for his friend. 
And he still liked youth, with its eager, heroic, 
and often crude ways, if only it were upright 
and truthful. 

She said, presently, that she must go, but 
that she had had a delightful evening. 

‘‘ You will have to come often until I get 
used to my boy's absence. I never can tell 
you all he has been to me during these months." 


344 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Helen put by many things to think of before 
she went to sleep. But there were the day's 
doings and thoughts; and before she was half 
through with them, she was asleep. It was 
difficult to go back six months to find the little 
paths through which she had wandered into 
John Bunyan’s Country of Conceit, that after 
all was so near the Delectable Mountains. 

“ Miss Grant, are you engaged this even- 
ing? ” asked Richard Eastman as school closed. 

“ Why — no,” as if she were considering. 

“ The boys want to come up : Dinsmore and 
Benson and Lang — Lang has gone into the 
Henderson factory as a sort of assistant book- 
keeper, and likes it first rate. We were the 
worst crowd in school, weren’t we? We’re 
all ashamed of it now, and I do think we have 
all tried, since then, in real earnest. They and 
some other boys come once a week, as they did 
through the winter that I was ill. And you 
can’t think how father likes it. I’m sorry I 
am an only child, father ought to have a house- 
ful; he is very fond of boys. And we — ^they — 
are all getting along so well. And it’s funny, 
but I don’t believe there ever was an evening 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 345 

but what some boy remembered something 
you had said. I suppose it is like planting 
a seed.^^ 

Helen flushed, and she felt the tears back 
of her eyes. That first year had been so very 
trying. Only, she had been enthusiastic and 
determined not to shame her college training, 
and all Mrs. Bell's lovely counsel had been 
fresh in her mind. Had she really sowed some 
good seed? And it had often seemed stony 
ground to her. 

‘‘Why, yes, Dick; I shall be very glad to 
see them; to see you all. Why, you are get- 
ting to be quite a missionary to the boys," and 
her eyes sparkled with pleasure. 

She ran in to Mr. Hildreth's before she went 
to her own home. He held up a note. 

“ Yours came in mine, so we could both 
share alike and neither be jealous. And the 
news is good.” 

Yes, it was very good. Gordon had seen 
Dr. Agnew. The eye was just the same — 
had grown no worse — the rest of the nerves 
were strong and in good condition. There 
seemed nothing to fear at present. Now he 


346 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

was to have a grand family visit. His father 
was well, though he was growing older, but 
his mother didn’t seem to change a bit and was 
the sweetest mother in the world. 

What a lovely thing to say about one; better 
than all the culture and all the ripening gained 
from arts and sciences. Would it be said about 
Mrs. Yarrow sometime when the world had 
forgotten that she had been president of a 
college ? 

“ But I came to tell you we must put off 
the reading this evening. The first-year boys 
want to call on me in a party. Why — they 
are the alumni of the high school of Westfield ! 
I didn’t think of that when Dick was talking. 
It seems now rather funny to me,” and she 
looked up with shining eyes. 

He was studying her and the half smiles 
that rippled over her face. Then he said: 

‘‘ I suppose you wouldn’t want an old fogy 
like me to come in and look at you, just toward 
the last ? ” 

‘‘Why, yes! Oh, do! The high school is 
your great work, you know. I’ve heard all 
about the fight,” laughing. “ You knew we 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 347 

had a new county superintendent ? He is com- 
ing over — or up, or down — next week, and 
we must put on our freshest frills. Mr. Un- 
derwood is rather grumpy about it. He does 
hate to have the old things fussed over and 
called new.’’ 

“ Mr. Underwood deserves a good deal of 
credit. I should have been most sorry to have 
had him go away, but it was a well-deserved 
compliment. The new superintendent comes 
from Connecticut, I believe.” 

“ Yes. And now I think I must go and 
beg Mrs. Stirling to give us some cake and 
make us some coffee. It’s rather funny, it 
seems to me.” 

“ I think I must bestir myself or I’ll be quite 
a back number. Gordon and I met some de- 
lightful people in California. And their splen- 
did university ! Ah ! well, we must be content 
to be little folk. So I must look up my neigh- 
bors and have some of the old Dons here — 
would it do ? — to meet the new superintendent.” 

''Why, that would be splendid! Talk to 
Mr. Underwood. Adieu.” 

She kissed the tips of her fingers, and ran 


348 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

away, like a lightsome-hearted girl, to ask 
Mrs. Stirling if they might have some cake 
and coffee and a fire in the parlor. 

“ We’ve nothing but odds and ends and 
some crullers. Jane will be pleased to make 
you a nice, fresh cake. And we ought to 

keep a steady fire in the best room ” 

With no one to sit by it? And this room 
so cheerful and homey?” laughing. 

So they had a nice fire, and the parlor was 
lighted up. She placed the chairs about to 
take off the stiffness, and spread the few books 
on the center table. Something flashed into the 
thread of her thinking — what if Lilian should 
have a lover some day? Would he stay in the 
sitting-room until Mrs. Stirling retired? Or 
would Lilian pluck up girlish courage and de- 
mand something for herself? She did not 
worry about being an old maid now. The 
girls came in and stayed to tea, and Mrs. Stir- 
ling welcomed them. Sometimes a brother 
dropped in to take them home. She had never 
had much company. The mothers asked her 
out to tea because all the children wanted to 
have a little bit of her. Just now, she felt she 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 349 

ought to have done more in opening the doors 
of true hospitality. 

Well, she was surprised at the group of boys 
— they really were young men — that stepped 
into the lighted hall. Lawrence Dinsmore was 
a tall, well-developed, bright-looking, young 
fellow, dressed with neatness, but not fop- 
pishly, and he wore a golden-brown mustache. 
His hazel eyes were clear, with a decided ex- 
.pression that gave the whole face character. 
Benson and Lang were young fellows to be 
really proud of, and she gave them a smiling 
welcome. 

‘‘We have wanted to see you so much,’^ be- 
gan Larry; “ not just the little passing in the 
street, or meeting casually, but to have a chance 
for a real talk over things ’’ 

“ And I am very glad to welcome you,’' she 
began, with a cordial smile. “ Do you remem- 
ber that you are the first alumni of the high 
school, and that the town ought to be proud 
of you? — will be proud of you as the years 
go on.” 

“ Why, I had forgotten all about it,” de- 
clared Carl, with a bright, eager look. “ So 


350 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

we were. But we wouldn’t have been if it 
had not been for you, Miss Grant; we have 
said, at least fifty times, that we owe you every- 
thing. And we’re glad to come and acknowl- 
edge it. And we’re going to make first-class 
business men some day. We’ll be the solid, 
substantial pillars of Westfield if we live long 
enough.” 

“ Oh ! Carl, that is grandiloquent,” laughed 
Larry. 

“ Well, aren’t you aiming to be president 
of the bank when the first row of officials die 
out? And Lang and I will make some busi- 
ness opening presently and set up as a firm. 
Oh, there’s nothing like aiming high! And 
Dick will be an eminent physician. And I do 
hope you will stay here to see it all.” 

‘‘ And be quite to middle life like Miss 
Parker? ” 

“ Oh, you couldn’t be like that ! Miss Grant, 
you have too much fun in you, and — and — 
too much sweetness ” 

‘‘ Oh, thank you, Carl,” but her face was 
scarlet. 

We all wanted you to have a little gift 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 35 1 

to remember us by,” began Dick. “ Fm glad 
to have this the first meeting of the alumni, 
though I do suppose the girls will feel slighted 
not to be included, when they hear of it. There 
are books that we knew you’d like. And that 
winter — when we read Plato, and liked Pro- 
fessor Jowett’s introduction so much — it will 
always be one of my favorites. Larry wanted 
to give you the Browning, so I couldn’t choose 
that.” 

They were all wrapped, and tied with white 
ribbon, and, as she opened them, the beautiful 
bindings touched her heart and brought tears 
to her eyes. 

“ I don’t know how to thank you,” she fal- 
tered. 

‘‘ Oh, it isn’t a tithe of what you have done 
for us,” said Larry. Dick only raised his 
beautiful dark eyes that had a lustrous sweet- 
ness. 

Then she seated them, and they began to talk 
of the debating club they had formed, and what 
a fine speaker White was; and of the great 
ball game, when they had beaten the Ridge- 
woods on their own ground; and of the 


352 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

skating — and wouldn’t she tell them about Ox- 
ford, and the houses of Parliament? How 
splendid it would be to run over to England 
on a vacation tour when they had saved money 
enough ! 

She called in Lilian. They had some fun 
together, telling laughable bits and jokes, and 
then Mrs. Stirling invited them out to have a 
cup of coffee. As they were crossing the hall 
Mr. Hildreth came in and congratulated them 
all, and said he was glad to be their first guest. 
It was something he should be proud of. 

And it’s awfully funny,” declared Larry, 
‘‘ but we never thought of the alumni until 
Miss Grant spoke of it. Why, we’re having 
just a grand time! Mr. Hildreth, can’t we 
drink a toast to you in a cup of coffee? ” 

The gentleman rose and bowed, and then 
responded to the boyish but heartfelt toast. 

And Larry said afterward, such a fine reply, 
so full of high wishes for them, was just a 
grand thing; and the evening was one of the 
best and j oiliest they had ever spent. 

Helen would have been amused if she had 
heard the boys talk on their homeward way. 



“Mk. Hildreth, can’t we drink a toast to you in a cup of 

COFFEE? ” — Page 352. 




VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 353 

“ Miss Grant is just splendid ! There 
doesn’t seem to be any other adjective to apply 
correctly to her. And what cubs we were at 
first! Oh, well, boys don’t think of conse- 
quences, and they hate to be advised. Yet 
their fathers do know something, as they learn 
later on. I don’t want her ever to go away. 
Oh, she ought to marry some fine man and 
have a nice home, where we could go now and 

then and have talks ” 

“ There isn’t any one good enough for her, 
except Mr. Hildreth. Wasn’t he a trump to- 
night? I was rather sorry when he entered 
the hall, but he was so gracious and cordial, 
not a bit stilted.” 

Oh, he’s too old,” said Walter. “ And I 
should just hate to have her an old maid ! ” 

“ But she could never be one of the queer, 
snappy kind. And she has such lots of cour- 
age to stand up for what she thinks right. 
Father says no man could have done any better 
that first year. And it did break up that 
wretched habit of beer-drinking that we con- 
sidered so manly. Think of that George 
Farnham, who is only twenty-four and a reg- 


354 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

ular sot — has been arrested twice ! He was a 
nice fellow at the Ridgewood school, and then 
he went into the factory and was near the 
saloon. Miss Grant despises drinking.” 

Dick had been silent, thinking of the after- 
noon that had brought him so much shame and 
suffering. Some other fingers clasped his, and 
the remembrance of the Hallowe’en frolic that 
had come so near being serious flashed over 
both minds. There were many events one 
would like to blot out — did God allow them to 
happen as lessons, warnings? 

‘‘ Boys,” said Larry, let’s begin as they do 
at colleges, and hold an alumni meeting every 
year. We’ll take in the girls if they will come, 
and we might ask this year’s graduates to swell 
the numbers. And we’ll have some invited 
guests; Woody, and Miss Grant, and Mr. Hil- 
dreth, and — but we mustn’t get too many.” 

That will be capital,” responded Dick. 
“ Yes, we must keep it in mind and be plan- 
ning.” 

At Mrs. Stirling’s, they were clearing away 
the things, and talking over the pleasant time. 

‘‘ I never would have believed those four 


VARIABLE ATMOSPHERES 355 

boys had in them the making of such nice 
men. For they are really promising young 
men, and they were terrors. They seemed to 
study nothing but destructive mischief. There 
can be fun without ruining people’s property 
and making such a sight of trouble. I suppose 
poor Dick’s accident called a halt. It seemed 
dreadful that he should have all the suffering. 
But he looks pretty well now, and I do think 
he has grown very handsome.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 

Gordon Danforth returned on Saturday, 
though his father would fain have kept him 
for his Sunday services. But he was to report 
at college on Monday, and he wanted that last 
day with Helen. Just after dinner with Mr. 
Hildreth, the Reverend Mr. Henley dropped in. 

I saw your young friend leave the train, 
and I knew I should find him here,” he said, 
after the first greetings had passed. “ And my 
chief errand is to him; perhaps a rather unwel- 
come one,” smiling vaguely. “ I have not been 
up to the mark of late, and thought I would 
take a little holiday and have a change. A 
friend was to come yesterday to remain a week, 
and I was to start this morning. But, instead, 
there came a note, explaining that on account 
of a death he would have to disappoint me. 
Then, as I saw your friend walking up the 
street, I plucked up courage to come.” 

356 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 357 

He nodded and smiled over to Gordon, who 
flushed and looked uncertain a moment. 

‘‘If you knew how tired and actually worn 
out I feel, you would take a little pity on me 
out of your young vigor. I am getting to be 
quite an old man, and sometimes I feel that I 
have dealt out all my messages of cheer and 
strength. My people have always been kind 
and sympathetic with me, and we have been 
warm and dear friends for years. But I see 
so many new faces that sometimes I am quite 
at loss as to how I shall meet the new demands. 
Times change, methods change; we are more 
in touch with the great world, and this is, now 
and then, a burden on my mind. I think I 
must ask for a vacation presently, and get 
freshened up a bit. But — if you could give 
me to-morrow, I should feel so grateful. I 
can recall your talk of last summer and the 
comfort it was to me.’’ 

Gordon had flushed and paled alternately, 
and experienced a momentary embarrassment. 
He had been called upon a number of times to 
bear witness to the length and breadth and 
height of God’s messages to His world. But 


358 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

he had planned for this Sunday somewhat to 
himself. 

“If you think I could be of real service 

he began hesitatingly. 

“You see, I had been counting on this 
respite, hoping it would restore me to some of 
the olden vigor. There has been considerable 
illness among my people, many of whom are 
going down the decline of life — as well as 
myself — and it has been a tax. Just a little 
rest would be a blessing. Can you deliver both 
sermons ? Am I asking too much ? ” 

Gordon had used a good deal of resolution 
to refuse his father the same request, promising 
to give him the gratification later on. 

“ I shall be glad to oblige you,” he replied 
in a low tone. “ But I am not very well pre- 
pared.” 

“ You will say something fresh. They have 
heard me so often. I do, now and then, give 
them a chance to hear some of my brethren, 
and it is a treat to me to listen. Oh, I think 
you need have no fear. Thank you many 
times.” 

But the old clerg3mian lingered, exchanging 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 359 

pleasant thoughts with Mr. Hildreth, feeling 
as if a burden had been lifted from his mind. 
He had been a faithful servitor of his Master, 
and a little rest by the wayside was good and 
pleasant. 

Afterward Gordon hurried along the street 
and rang the doorbell. She had gone upstairs; 
he saw the light in her room. 

‘‘ Yes, I will call her down,” said Lilian. 

“ I hope Mr. Hildreth ” 

Oh, he is well,” in a quick tone. “ It is 
just an errand.” 

But he went into the sitting-room. Mrs. 
Stirling was in the kitchen, consulting with 
Jane about breakfast. Lilian went through 
the end of the hall. 

Helen had been half-expecting him, and was 
a little annoyed at the defection. 

He took her hand, noting its half reserve. 

“ I had a most delightful time at home. I 
could not resist telling my joyful news. 
Mother remembers quite well when you were 
at Mrs. Aldred's. They both sent welcoming 
messages. Oh, I shall be so glad to have them 
know you well. And then Mr. Henley came 


360 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

in to beg me to preach for him to-morrow. 
He seems not very well.” 

Oh ! ” was all she said. 

‘‘ I could not well refuse. But I mean for 
us to have a nice day ” 

“ And it will be nice listening to you. I am 
so glad for — for us all to have the oppor- 
tunity,” half smiling. 

“ Good-night, my darling. I must consider 
what I had better take for a subject.” 

Something not too learned. We are a 
simple folk.” 

He kissed her and was gone. She went out 
to the kitchen. 

You may have the pleasure of listening to 
the Reverend Gordon Danforth, if you so elect, 
to-morrow. He preaches for Mr. Henley,” she 
announced. 

Then we will be sure to go,” was the reply. 

Helen wondered if she was pleased or other- 
wise. The week had been so full, so busy, 
she said to herself, that she had hardly had 
time to consider several grave subjects that 
pressed upon her. Oh, she had surely con- 
sented. There was her lifework. She had 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 361 

wanted to be a power, an influence in the lives 
of those around her. Was there anything 
worthier than this? And if sometime she 
should be sorely needed! If she was called 
to minister unto another instead of looking 
for self-advancement. 

The church was simple and rather quaint, 
the oldest in Westfield; its congregation had 
many dear memories connected with it. And 
when the young clergyman stood up reverently, 
after the hymns and prayers were ended, and 
said in a grave, earnest tone : ‘ Multitudes, 

multitudes in the Valley of Decision.’ ” Helen 
wondered vaguely, as if she had never met 
with the sentence before. Even Mr. Henley 
leaned over, as if it was something quite new 
and he must listen. 

When people had reached the mountain- 
tops, the decisions had all been made, the seed 
sown, the life evolved — such as it was to be. 
It was in the valley, where the struggle and 
the fight, the falling back and discouragement, 
the rising up and taking hold again, was made. 
And there, in the valley, were the great host 
that no man could number, filled with every 


362 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

desire, every want the world would ever know, 
aiming for the highest — ^whether it were in- 
tellectual or moral good ; happiness that seemed 
to glow in the opening of the clouds above, 
and shine in enticing, resplendent beauty; 
worldly gain that dazzled in tempting visions; 
fame that was a meteor flash — all the hun- 
dreds of things the mind craves and reaches 
out eager hands to grasp. What it thinks best 
— what it needs and wants to keep life from 
being a waste — according to human, narrow 
thinking. There was such a vividness about 
the throngs, that one could see the pushing 
and struggling, the ambition that struck down 
weaker hands — that climbed on steps reared 
by others who had fallen back discouraged. 
[And here all the decisions were made. One 
had to choose and hold fast the aim; to listen 
to the higher voices that called one to put 
aside self; to discover and pursue worthier 
resolves, greater undertakings — responding 
with joy and enthusiasm to that call to service 
for friend and neighbor — the faint-hearted, 
the down-trodden — shrinking from no demand 
made upon our services, each must decide 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 363 

whether the endeavor shall be for God and 
humanity or towards self-serving. Every one 
must walk the Valley of Decision, either held 
by the Almighty Hand and led surely upward 
and onward, or wandering in crooked by-paths 
of twilight uncertainty. For in the end it 
must be one or the other. There was no 
middle ground.’' 

Helen Grant was thinking it over during 
the afternoon as she sat alone. She had not 
been honest and fair with Gordon. What 
had brought about the disloyalty? What 
curious, enchaining ambition had lured her on, 
step by step? Was not the world’s work God’s 
work? Was not doing for ‘‘the least of 
these ” as great in His sight as any learned 
effort? Was not the power and desire to bind 
up the bruised heart as worthy in His sight as 
to sway a multitude by beautiful thoughts and 
aims that could only bring dissatisfaction? 
Was not the haunting, spasmodic desire, the 
child of self-pride and a traitor to her first 
loyalty ? 

“Were you tired of me this morning?” 
he asked as he dropped in for a moment to 


364 HELEN GRANT^S HARVEST YEAR 

beg her, in Mr. Hildreth’s name, to come to 
tea. 

‘‘ It was a curious text. I wondered, at 
first, what you were going to make of it.” 

‘‘We all have to push our way along the 
Valley of Decision, sometimes with what seems 
superhuman strength. But we can reach the 
mountain tops at last, if we take God’s will for 
our guidance. And it makes the way so pleas- 
ant. After all, when we think of the little we 
give up, and set it beside the great gain ” 

“ Oh, you know I said I never could accept 
that hard life among the ignorant, the people 
of the wilderness; that I wanted refinement, 
companionship; the pleasure that higher cul- 
tivation brings; some leisure — some of life’s 
satisfactions,” and she gave a sudden, indrawn 
breath that was like a sob, while a flush over- 
spread her face. 

“ My dear, I think you can do better work 
in a different sphere. Mr. Hildreth has told 
me of your influence over the boys, and your 
labors in the school. We have not all the 
same gifts. The paramount duty is using 
what we have for those about us; and if God 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 365 

calls US Up higher, to go gladly, nothing doubt- 
ing.” 

She felt that night that it had been a 
Sabbath day’s journey one of the milestones 
along the way. 

And now they were busy enough in school. 
She was thankful that Mr. Hildreth had 
shielded her engagement from any publicity. 
Gordon had been his guest, his friend; and 
that this kindly, elderly man admired her 
raised a question in some minds whether it 
would not be more than friendship. 

Mr. Vanderveer, the new superintendent, 
was invited to dine with Mr. Hildreth and 
meet some of the people strongly interested 
in education. He did not ask any of the 
learned professors, but several of the parents 
and teachers. Mrs. Underwood was cordially 
invited to play the part of hostess. Both 
schools won favor and admiration, and it was 
a most enjoyable occasion. 

“ I think we took him somewhat by sur- 
prise,” said Mr. Underwood. “ And next 
year we shall raise our high school standard, 
so that it will admit to Cornell, where some 


366 HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

of our pupils are anxious to go. No, I shall 
never regret that I left the position for him. 
We have too many fine friends and neighbors 
here to give them up readily. And when a 
man is satisfied with what he is doing, let 
him take Carlyle’s recommendation and be 
happy with it. I have thought a good deal 
lately that we are not simply to stuff the chil- 
dren’s heads with theories and knowledges 
from the East and the West, but to make good 
citizens of them — upright and honorable men, 
armed against the temptations to become 
thieves, or defaulters, or drunkards. And to 
make the girls fine intelligent women, that they 
may know how to train their children., Oh, 
Miss Grant, you never expected me to preach 
sermons, did you? But that young friend of 
Mr. Hildreth’s set me to thinking. What an 
earnest, vigorous, sensible fellow he is ! ” 
Helen turned her face partly away that he 
might not see the wave of scarlet that flooded 
it. She knew she had always admired Gor- 
don — it was not that she had been really dis- 
loyal to his love, but what she could do with 
her own self had grown, from a little thought, 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 367 

to a dissatisfaction with what might be termed 
a woman’s destiny.” She could work out 
something for herself. They might stand on 
a splendid equality. They were both so young 
and life was long; there was so much to do, 
and she would joy in doing it. 

But if he needed her! If there should come 
years when her love would be a solace, give 
strength, perhaps, for them to work together! 
There were subtle harmonies in life belonging 
to the beautiful theme of love for another, un- 
mindful of self. Had she been blind all this 
time? Had she accepted a great joy, yet held 
back part of the price ? What had induced her 
to count as fetters the sacred obligations of 
marriage? True, she had not set it quite 
among the ideals of life. She could never 
have rushed into it as Shirley did, full of 
glowing hopes. She was too serious-minded, 
too practical. 

“ It shall all be made up to him,” she said 
to herself. “ We will work together; we will 
plant, and wait patiently for the harvest time. 
Perhaps I have wanted to gather my harvests 
too soon, and it has brought fruit not fully 


368 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

ripe. There may be much seed sown that 
fails to spring up, though the sower may work 
with earnest endeavor.” 

Spring was coming in. It seemed to Helen 
that it had never been so full of beauty. Now 
that she was relieved of some of the school 
cares, she found leisure for rambles, or for 
occasional drives with Mr. Hildreth. But 
there was always a flock of girls hovering 
about her with their merry chat. At times it 
struck a serious chord, and she was a little sur- 
prised at the essential and vital points they 
raised; at their eagerness to take up the more 
important truths. 

You don’t seem to care as much for us 
boys as you used,” Allen Millard said in a 
complaining tone. “ You are planning pleas- 
ures for the girls ” 

Oh, I think they are planning pleasures 
for me,” with her bright, enchanting smile. 
“ And you know you boys are so much in 
Mr. Boyd’s care now — outgrowing me.” 

“ Oh, we couldn’t outgrow you. Mr. Boyd 
is nice — but it was so delightful at first when 
you had so many of the lessons. And you 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 369 

used to talk about curious things and places 
in a way that fairly made us see them. And 
that gave me the resolve to go to college and 
learn all that I could.” 

And teach it. Distribute it in the best and 
most generous manner. Knowledge is not all 
for ourselves. We must not be misers and 
hoard it, gloat over it in secret.” 

“ Oh, dear ! I wish you had been my big 
sister! Roslyn wishes it, too. She cares so 
much for you, Miss Grant.” 

And I care a great deal for all you three 
children,” she said, deeply moved. 

‘‘ Ruth is studying with all her might and 
main to get into the high school. The children 
love you so much.” 

She laughed pleasantly, but she knew that 
there were some who did not. Ada Cranston 
had never forgiven her interference in the 
foolish boy-and-girl affair that she was sure 
was a life-long love. And there were some 
others, with no real ambition, who were al- 
ways slipping out of tasks, and angry when 
called to account. 

Dick came in, now and then, for a good 


370 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

talk, and Lawrence Dinsmore had come to 
be very friendly. His steady improvement in 
both moral and intellectual tone gave evidence 
of higher ideals that pleased her very much. 
But Dick said, with a tremble in his voice : 

“ Oh, Miss Grant, I hope you will never 
go away from Westfield! You seem just like 
a part of it.” 

But you are going to college.” 

“ Still, I am coming back for vacations. I 
want to find you here and have you for an 
adviser and a confidant; for I mean not to 
do anything I can’t confess to you and father. 
I shall think of you both, if I should be 
tempted, and I do believe it will give me 
strength.” 

“ Pray for that greater strength,” she re- 
turned in a low tone. 

“ It must be so nice to have a sister one 
could rely on and who would have faith in 
one — ^believe that he would try to do his best. 
I think I liked being an only child until I 
have come to know the Hendersons well. They 
are really ambitious for each other, proud 
of any little triumph one of them gains, and 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 371 

SO fond of one another, though they some- 
times do have little tiffs. And their mother 
is like another girl with them ! 

He rarely spoke of his own mother. At 
times her fondness really irked him. She 
wanted him to have everything, she invited 
little companies for him, and made herself 
agreeable to the young girls in a sort of flighty 
way that distressed him. After a while she 
had consented to have the auto sold. Mr. 
Eastman had not cared especially for it, and 
Dick would never share it again — he could 
not think of it without a shudder. He was a 
tall, handsome fellow that any mother might 
well be proud of. 

“ I’m glad I am not going away this year,” 
he began presently. “ Harry White has chosen 
Cornell, and Mr. Boyd is coaching him. Mark 
wants to go to Yale. I’ll have another whole 
year, but if I went to Columbia I could come 
home every week, and that would please father 
best.” 

Columbia is fine. And New York is a 
great city. Somehow, I shouldn’t enjoy being 
very far from it.” 


372 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

He had been walking home with her after 
school, and now said a lingering good-by. 
What friends she had made of these boys, and 
they had come to respect Mr. Underwood so 
much. Oh, she would stay another year, 
surely. 

Then Leslie and Mr. Morse sent her an 
urgent invitation to visit their new home. It 
was so beautiful, worth waiting for, Leslie 
said. But she should always be glad she had 
shared his work among the poor and ignorant. 
The world was so much wider than they had 
dreamed of in college days. There was need 
of good fellowship everywhere; of a help- 
ing hand held out to these people to assist 
them to the little they could enjoy in 
their narrow ways — into better modes of 
thought. 

Newberry suggested Westfield somewhat, 
for it was beginning the march of improve- 
ment, although quite against the wishes of the 
old families, who had reigned undisturbed for 
almost two hundred years and were satisfied. 
To awaken these from their complacency, to 
keep the newer element from a sort of vain- 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 373 

glory in thrift and industry, and from over- 
stepping the boundaries of consideration, and 
to lead them into good fellowship, was surely 
a much needed work. 

The stone church was old and ivy-covered, 
with quite an English aspect. The rectory 
adjoining was embowered by trees, and would 
be half hidden by roses and shrubbery in the 
later season. That would conceal the plain 
framework and give it a charming appearance. 
It was partly furnished, and certainly home- 
like. 

‘‘ It seems almost as if we had gone into 
heaven,’’ Leslie said, pleasure lighting up her 
sweet eyes. No smoke or soot, no clangor 
of machinery, no dirty, crowded streets, little 
tumult of children. I wonder if we shall find 
work enough to keep us busy — content? ” 

‘‘ It will be a new thing to try to harmonize 
these contending elements,” said Mr. Morse. 

Before, the truly rich were across the river 
out of our reach, and there was only the differ- 
ent degrees of labor and poverty. Now these 
good old families, who scout public schools 
and factories and labor, must be brought to 


374 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

see that these things are necessary for the 
world’s advancement, and that, if we do not 
go on, we certainly do retrograde; that edu- 
cation is the common factor of the world to- 
day. I am glad to try my hand at another 
of the world’s problems. Leslie has been a 
brave, uncomplaining wife, and I am glad to 
transport her to more delightful surround- 
ings.” 

Leslie looked a little worn, Helen thought, 
but she was sweet and joyous. On Saturday 
Miss Morse joined them, and they had a most 
pleasant visit, enjoying many discussions as to 
the variety of parish work. 

Westfield seemed more inviting to Helen. 
There had never been any rigid caste there, 
they were so near the other smallish towns. 
And they had a certain commendable ambition 
to be a part of the great world. 

Then came the Easter holiday; just a week. 
Helen went to Kingsland, where the two girls 
were in the midst of wedding talk. On the 
first of July Mr. Royse was to take part in a 
Musical Festival in London. They would be 
married in the church the last of June, and 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 


375 


go at once, taking in a bit of the Continent, 
and returning the last of August. Wilma was 
full of joy and gayety. 

‘‘ It isn’t as if we were going away off some- 
where to live,” she said to Helen. ‘‘ I think it 
would break my heart not to see Aunt Juliet 
for a year or two. And Elma is happy and 
glad for me. I suppose some day she’ll have 
a lover. And won’t it be funny to see Edith 
Foxcroft? Why, we didn’t even dream of 
such a thing last year. What a splendid time 
we did have! ” 

There was some shopping to do; Leslie came 
down for a luncheon with them. And there 
was Shirley, pretty and matronly, with her 
two babies. Helen longed to see Mrs. Bell 
and have a dear, confidential talk with her. 
But she thought she would rather not be in 
the hubbub with all the gay young people. 
Gordon spent a day with them, and then hunted 
up the Osbornes. 

‘‘ I would stay over Sunday with Mr. Hil- 
dreth, but I have promised to do a little clerical 
work for two or three weeks. I have quite a 
lot of things to go over, but I shall be 


37^ HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

all right when the time comes,” nodding his 
head with assurance. “And then we must 
decide ” 

“ Oh, not until next year,” she entreated. 

“ We will talk it over at our leisure ! ” laugh- 
ing. 

“ And your ” She paused, with an 

anxious compression of the lips. 

“ Oh, don’t think of it, dear. I have left 
it in God’s hands. We will enjoy to-day 
and not cloud it with what may come to- 
morrow.” 

How many times Helen had returned to 
Westfield with a thrill of pleasure! Would 
she go away sometime and find a new home ? — 
make new friends? Well, why should she 
fear ? All the events that had come to her thus 
far had been pleasant, why could she not be 
trustful ? 

She was tired with the talk and excitement, 
and the quiet of her room seemed grateful. 
There were some gifts, as usual, and a beauti- 
ful set of books from Mr. Hildreth. He came 
in the next day. Yes, he had had Gordon for 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 377 

a day and night, and found him in excellent 
spirits. And she must tell him about the 
sweet girl soon to be a bride. 

“ Everything will come at once,’’ she said in 
a tone of assumed complaining. All the 
graduations, and I must do my utmost not to 
have mine a failure.” 

The girls were roused to ambition, and 
planned numerous attractions that did not in- 
terfere with their studies. The boys took 
matters easier, though they were resolved to 
do their classes credit. Saturday was given 
over to pleasures. The boats were out with 
flying streamers; the tennis court was full of 
gay, flitting figures; there were some field 
games that won them credit. 

Helen, Miss Jaynes, and Mr. Underwood, 
with Mr. Boyd’s help, went over the curricu- 
lum for the next year. 

‘‘ We must raise the standard higher. 
Ridgewood did this last year. Mr. Vander- 
veer is quite resolved that the best schools must 
reach the college requirements. There will be 
only a few to go, but you want the name and 
the fame. And I have quite a crowd to enter. 


378 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

You will be kept pretty busy next year,” and 
he gave a cordial nod and smile. 

“ How proud he is,” thought Helen. 

And he wondered how things would have 
gone without Helen Grant. The girl’s face 
had changed a great deal, had gained an added 
womanliness. He thought it much handsomer 
than when he had first seen it, attractive as 
it was. He remembered that he had doubted 
her power to hold, to govern. She had not 
been stern or arbitrary, but she had won the 
love of the children, the respect of the older 
ones. He was proud of the business record 
of the four boys of whom nothing but evil 
had been predicted; whom he had been most 
sorry to accept for the high school. And 
Richard Eastman had endeared himself to all 
by the bravery and patience he had shown 
under the long, wearisome strain. A son any 
father might be proud of now. 

‘‘ I don’t know how we will make out next 
year,” he said to his wife, after he had read 
his evening’s paper. Vanderveer marked us 
up pretty stiff, but no higher than college 
demands. Boyd is fine — a thorough teacher — 


THE HIGHER OUTLOOK 379 

and few know what that comprehends. I 
think if I were he Fd give up the chapel busi- 
ness and strike out for a professorship — he 
has his degree. But I am glad to keep him.” 

‘‘ And Miss Grant ? ” There was an odd 
whimsical light in her eyes. 

Oh, Fve taken a five years’ lien on her — 
it has four years yet to run.” 

Mr. Hildreth will marry her before that. 
I do believe he is thinking seriously of it. He 
is an ardent worshiper.” 

“ Nonsense! ” 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 

It was early June. Everything was 
a-bloom, the air sweet with rose, honeysuckle, 
and syringa. Many of the porches were gar- 
lands and festoons of loveliness. And in the 
late afternoon the sweetness seemed more 
penetrating. 

They were walking along the river bank, 
shaded by tall trees. Tangled shrubbery and 
peculiar water growths seemed nodding to their 
shadows in the stream, as if they were sentient 
beings. 

Gordon had been watching for her as she 
came out of school, delayed a little by nlark- 
ing some exercises. Most of the scholars had 
dispersed. She caught sight of him and, with 
a hurried, yet agitated step, went to meet him. 

What has happened ? ” she inquired breath- 
lessly. 


380 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 381 

“ Oh, did my sudden appearance alarm 
you ? ” and the amused light crossing his face 
showed there was a laugh behind it. 

Helen looked disconcerted. 

‘‘ There is some important business. I tried 
to write it, but I couldn't wait for your an- 
swer. Such things are better discussed, as 
country people say, ‘ by word of mouth.’ So, 
as there was nothing to prevent, I came down. 
Let us walk along the river. What a glorious 
day it has been! And, oh! look at the wild 
roses. Let me gather some for you.” 

She was strangely confused. All the week 
she had been thinking of the future that must 
soon be placed on a firmer basis or — ^what was 
the alternative? 

He fastened the roses at her throat, and 
kissed her, glancing into her eyes that drooped 
under his gaze. 

‘‘ Do you wonder what it is ? ” he inquired 
half jestingly, piqued by her curious silence. 

“ Yes ; what is it ? ” courageously. “ A 
matter of destiny ? ” 

“ It is a matter that concerns you — our 
future. And you must help me decide.” 


382 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ Oh, you are going away again ! ” with a 
quick, indrawn breath. 

Not unless you send me.” There was a 
mysterious expression in his eyes and hovering 
about his mouth. It took her back to last 
summer — to the sudden joy that had over- 
whelmed her. 

‘‘ The matter is this : I have had the proffer 
of a position in our own beautiful city. Most 
young clerics would not stop a moment to 
consider. It is an assistantship in one of our 
finest churches — a great compliment, even I 
take it. They always have two assistants; one 
had a call to Nashville a month ago, and, oddly 
enough, one of the wardens had spent a fort- 
night at Niagara last summer. I was asked 
to preach one evening not long ago.” 

Helen studied him intently. 

‘‘And you do not want to accept it,” she 
said. 

“ Ah, how could you guess ? ” in amazement. 

“What is it like?” 

“ It is one of the fashionable churches. It 
would take one into the best society, so called. 
Some of the finest people belong to it. They 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 383 

are generous, they have a mission, they have 
a home for their own poor and people to at- 
tend to them. They have beautiful, reverent, 
ornate services. They walk in a narrow way, 
and do not go outside. The society is unex- 
ceptionable. There are many things you would 
enjoy. I had not dreamed of offering you 
anything like this. And from there, one would 
be likely to have an excellent call.” 

But it is not what you desire ? ” 

Frankly, it is not my ideal for myself. I 
want to work for the Master; I want to train 
souls to see what it is to live in the larger 
world, to understand truer relations to God 
and to immortal life — duty to one’s neighbor; 
a higher sense of justice; to make the word of 
God grow into the daily life, and really to love 
our fellowmen; to raise them to a sense of 
divine manhood. Not just the very poor, but 
the nice middle classes. To share their joys, 
their sorrows; to be an ‘ ever present help ’ in 
their times of temptation; to live in their lives, 
as one may say ” 

He paused abruptly, his face alight with the 
pure glow of love for humanity. 


384 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

And you thought — I might like this more 
fashionable life ! ” 

I thought you ought to know. Oh, there 
are many delightful things about it — cultivated 
people, music, talks that stir one’s brain, the 
entree of beautiful houses, and the meeting 
traveled people who can discourse about things 
that are at the very ends of the earth.” 

Had she not been dreaming of some of 
these, going up until she stood on that higher 
round? It would spoil and mar the work he 
had intended to do, blight that lovely spiritual 
life after which he was striving. Yet he would 
do it for her. Would he really, when it came 
to the point? 

Oh, you must not ! ” she exclaimed im- 
pulsively. ‘‘ You would be miserable in a life 
hedged about by conventionalities. And so 
much true and noble work has come to you, 
has filled your very soul with joy. Why, you 
would be starved, in that social round. And 
for me ” 

She made a long pause, her eyes fixed on the 
softly flowing river, her mind suddenly, subtly 
going over some of the past. She had not 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 385 

exactly been hewing out broken cisterns, they 
were all along the wayside, the work of many 
pilgrims who had gone astray; and she had 
looked for the sparkle of water where there 
was none. One would grow thirsty after a 
while. 

‘‘ Perhaps I ought not to have taken your 
life into my keeping,” she said tremulously. 

I do not understand myself. So many ways 
have opened before me — so many strange 
thoughts that have been almost desires; pride 
and vanity of self. Gordon, you had better 
let me go ” 

“ No,” he returned, with infinite tenderness 
in his tone. “ There are a great many by- 
paths in life, and in our weakness and vague- 
ness we sometimes go a little way in them. 
But the voice calls to us, and if we follow it 
we shall come back to the right haven. I 
cannot give you up. Why, we two have a 
work to do together or it would not have 
followed us all our lives as it has. Think how 
our piths have crossed! Has it not been a 
certain faith in each other that has nourished 
the tender plant of love? And there is all 


386 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

the rest of life for its growth. Oh, I am not 
afraid.” 

His tone, his look, his faith electrified her. 

‘‘We will let the greater things go by. 
We shall find some place to do our best work, 
and we will take it together joyfully, because 
it is God’s will for us.” 

It was coming out of a darkness that she 
had said to herself would lead to a finer light. 
And now the light shone all around her. What 
a foolish girl she had been to puzzle her brain 
about things that had never existed. 

“ Oh,” she said, “ we must go back. Y es, 
it is the real, true work that brings satisfaction. 
And if you want to go down among the poor 
and lowly, I will go too. You shall guide — 
and I will follow.” 

“My darling!” And his tone was full of 
joy. 

Then they turned and walked in silence, 
each heart too full for any words. She was 
filled with a strange, delicious content. 

His evening was spent with Mr. Hildreth, 
and they discussed the proffer Gordon had 
received. 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 387 

‘‘ You see, it would hamper me in the things 
I long mostly to do. I would rather take a 
mission station. I should be of more real 
service in the vineyard. Only, I should not 
want to put Helen in any such place. Her 
talents and acquirements can do better work 
elsewhere. But it was right to give her the 
choice.’’ 

Then it was all at peace between them. 
Mr. Hildreth had sometimes wondered. 

Helen answered Mrs. Yarrow’s letter that 
she had laid by some months ago. She had 
written, but she could never answer that quite 
truthfully. 

And then she threw herself, soul and brain, 
into her school duties, wondering a little if 
she should be here next year. One year 
more would not take much out of their 
lives. 

“ Oh, Miss Grant, you are working too 
hard,” Mr. Boyd said. Our graduates are 
quite sure to go through. I never saw a more 
ambitious lot. You certainly have the power 
of inspiring them.” 

She smiled. ‘‘ You and Mr. Underwood 


388 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

will make me vain. It is not a good 
plan. I might be considering some higher 
step.” 

I don’t know what we would do without 
you.” 

Was this appreciation and regard the har- 
vest? — the fruits of what she had sown? 
There was the humility of earnest purpose in 
her heart, and thankfulness that she had suc- 
ceeded so well. 

She had to run away to Kingsland for 
Wilma’s wedding. It was earlier than they 
had expected, on account of a Musical Fes- 
tival in London that Mr. Royse had been en- 
gaged for. A pretty church wedding at noon, 
with a joyous bride in her white array, given 
away by Uncle ” Howard, and a group of 
lovely, diaphanous maids standing in a semi- 
circle. Certainly Miss Craven had made it a 
beautiful occasion. She, who had had no girl- 
hood in her own life, crowned this with a 
mother’s love. 

There was a reception afterwards, with 
many friends to wish the young couple God- 
speed. All the Travis family, Shirley and her 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 389 

husband, Leslie, and the hosts of new friends 
they had made. 

Juliet was fain to keep Helen all night after 
the bridal couple had gone. 

“ Oh, I can’t possibly,” she protested. 

There is so much yet to do. How you will 
miss her.” 

** It is the way of life, and not even an own 
mother should stand in the way of a child’s 
happiness. And, as she says, it is not as if 
we were going to live far apart. She will 
have a very sweet and tender mother. Oh, I 
wonder when we shall have another nice long 
time together! You must come to me when 
school closes. Have you any plans ? ” 

No,” with a vague intonation, and a 
tumultuous throb at her heart. 

‘‘It will be a good deal as to what Elma 
would like. She must not miss her sister too 
much. Yes, we will consider. After school 
closes, come to me.” 

Helen thought she would be very glad to. 
She went back on an evening train, and Lilian 
had asked Dick to go with her to escort Helen 
home. 


390 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Yes, it had been a beautiful wedding, and a 
delightful time with all the friends afterward. 
She had had hard work to get away. 

How lovely your Miss Craven has been 
to those girls,” Lilian said, with a touch of 
envy. ‘‘ And they were no real relation.” 

A great many people have been very good 
to me who were no real relation,” returned 
Helen, with a sweet gratefulness in her tone. 

‘‘ Well, I don’t know as any one could be 
better than Aunt Emma. But she was my 
mother’s sister. And I am glad enough to be 
here.” 

As she was going up to her room, Lilian 
added, “ There is a letter for you that was left 
at school. Allen Millard brought it up.” 

She was very tired and it was late, so she 
just glanced at the address. No, it was not 
from Gordon. A rather careless superscrip- 
tion, slanting downward. Westfield High 
School.” Most of her friends knew her street 
and number. So she opened it with a touch 
of curiosity, and turned over to the signature. 

“ Miss Ada Cranston.” 

A short laugh escaped her lips. Now she 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 39I 

recalled the fact that the girl had not been to 
school so far the present week, and had not 
taken her examinations. Could it be possible 
that she had heard from her youthful lover? 
That thought roused her interest, so she began 
to read. 

It commenced with a formal ‘‘ Miss Grant.*' 

She was not coming to school any more. 
On Sunday evening she had received an offer 
of marriage from a gentleman they had known 
some time. He was not very young, but had 
a nice, steady position, so there would be no 
years of weary waiting — as he could take care 
of a wife at once — and she should probably 
be married some time in the summer. She 
had loved Edgar very much, with the first 
pure, fervent affection of a girl’s fond heart. 
With any encouragement she would have 
waited for him; but he had proved weak, and 
base, and recreant to the holiest trust of life, 
and she had torn him out of her heart; that, 
though it had bled a while, it was full now 
of detestation for both father and son who 
could so outrage a loving girl’s trust. The 
man she was to marry was a hundred times 


392 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

nobler, and had healed the wound with his 
delightful tenderness. She had always de- 
spised school teaching, which was sure to turn 
one into a queer old maid in the end. Her 
books would be found in her desk, and she 
was more than glad to say good-by to 
school. 

How Helen did laugh over the absurd mis- 
sive! Yet she hoped the lover would be good 
and kind to the foolish girl, whose two aims in 
life were — marriage, or teaching school, be- 
cause it was genteel. From the depths of her 
heart Helen wished her joy. 

She took the letter to school with her the 
next day, and laid it before Mr. Underwood. 

What rot ! ” he exclaimed, between sar- 
casm and indignation. “ The girl and her 
mother are both fools. A high old teacher she 
would make ! ” 

“ You can announce to Mr. Mills that his 
son can return without any danger of an en- 
slavement.” 

“ Oh, yes. That is the best outcome of the 
ridiculous nonsense. And he will be glad. 
You can never quite tell how far " the outrage 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 393 

of a loving girl’s trust ’ might lead her. Ed- 
gar was a nice chap, and — the fates preserve 
him from another such adventure.” 

Examinations went very well. Of course 
there would be a Commencement. And 
couldn’t they have a regular Field Day? They 
could do some first-class stunts now. Then if 
the boys chipped in they might have a jolly 
spread afterward. Mr. Boyd thought it would 
be fine. 

“ Why — ^yes,” and the light of interest ir- 
radiated her face. Talk to Mr. Underwood 
about it.” 

What gay Field Days they used to have at 
college — all girls, too ! And how odd that the 
big boys came to her first about any plan. 

Mrs. Stirling sat looking over the paper 
that evening. 

“ Why, see here ! she exclaimed. ‘‘ Mr. 
Henley has actually resigned. I know there 
has been some talk of such a thing, and he 
was offered a six months’ vacation. I sup- 
posed it would rest there. I think he has been 
here a good thirty years, and he is quite an 
old man — a good man, too. I’ve never heard 


394 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

a word said against him. Dear, what a change 
it will make! I wonder — oh! Mr. Hildreth 
must have known, they have been such 
friends.” 

Yes. Mr. Hildreth had known. The very 
week after Gordon had filled his pulpit, Mr. 
Henley had come in and spent an evening 
with his friend to talk the matter over. A 
vacation would be all right; but the resigna- 
tion rather shocked him at first. 

“ It is a matter that requires some consider- 
ation,” Mr. Hildreth said slowly. 

I have given it that. I have consulted 
two of my vestrymen, and they saw the force 
of my reasoning. Many of my old parishion- 
ers are dead. New ones have come in. You 
must see that the town is changing every year. 
The work is changing also. It needs a young 
and vigorous man, who can go out to them, 
who has the new methods, the new knowledge 
— or rather, the new ways of presenting them. 
Thirty or forty years ago, when a fever or 
pestilence broke out we called it a judgment 
of God. Now we clean up our cities and in- 
stitute hygienic measures.” 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 395 

‘‘ That is most true. You have not fallen 
behind, however,” with a friendly smile. 

‘‘ I haven’t strength for this new work. I 
have no heart to study the new sciences, only 
in the most desultory fashion. And, my 
friend, I long for a little rest, a chance to 
travel leisurely, to see what other people are 
doing, believing; to fortify myself against the 
flood of plausible, dangerous beliefs. Now I 
cannot preach against them, I do not under- 
stand them.” 

‘‘ But you have been a good and faithful 
soldier.” 

And soldiers can be retired. I want a 
young man to come, who is fresh and eager 
in his beliefs and methods; who can go among 
the young with the certain courage and at- 
tractiveness that wins. Every town of any 
note has a Young Men’s Christian Association 
— we have none. And there are other matters 
near my heart that I cannot undertake. Oh, 
you must see that this step is best. A few 
years hence there might be some dissatisfac- 
tion; now everything is pleasant, and I shall 
take with me the love and respect of my people. 


39^ HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

It would be wisdom to go before they tire of 
me. Then I want rest and refreshment. 
Two or three years hence Mrs. Henley and I 
may be too old to enjoy traveling, then we 
can spend the evening of our lives in delight- 
ful retrospection.” 

It was all true. It had crossed Mr. Hil- 
dreth’s mind, but he had put it off to the 
future. The clergyman had been a warm 
friend. 

There is another thing,” Mr. Henley said 
after a pause. Mr. Bates spoke of this. Do 
you know anything about the young man who 
so kindly preached for me? I felt so utterly 
miserable that day. What are his plans ? He 
will make something beyond a brilliant 
preacher, he will be a very earnest, sensible, 
judicious worker. My people were all pleased 
with him. I saw they enjoyed the extempore 
speaking. I could not acquire that now. Mr. 
Bates thought, if he was obtainable — and really 
urged me to learn if he had any settled plans.” 

Mr. Hildreth’s heart gave a quick leap. 
Then he checked himself, but the ardent long- 
ing would not down. To have Gordon here — 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 39/ 

the man who had become a son to him in 
affection ! 

“ He has been in orders for a year. He 
is at Yale now, to take his Master’s degree. 
I think it is quite possible that he would come.” 

“ Then we had better see, before any other 
church lays claim to him. He is not likely 
to go begging.” 

‘‘ He had a very fine assistantship offered 
him, but it was at one of the most fashionable 
of our churches. He has entered the Mas- 
ter’s service for work, with a singleness of 
heart that is every way admirable. I have 
known him in some positions, trying ones, too, 
that bring out the mettle of a man. He was 
my companion all last winter, you know.” 

“ I like his moderate views. I distrust these 
ideas that would overturn everything at once. 
We had a long, delightful talk that Sunday. 
I feel that the church would be fortunate in 
such a leader. I shall ask Mr. Bates to see 
that the matter is acted upon at once.” 

Then they discussed various town matters 
until the good clergyman bade him a warm 
good-night. 


39^ HELEN grant's HARVEST YEAR 

Mr. Hildreth had dreamed of this, but 
loyalty to his old friend would have kept him 
from proposing the matter. He coveted 
Gordon as a son. If he could have them 
both, his life would be crowned with con- 
tent. 

These were busy days at school. Mr. Un- 
derwood cordially approved of the Field Day. 
Back of Mr. Henderson’s there was a tract of 
land, some day to be opened for a street. They 
considered whether they could put it in any 
kind of condition. They could have the tennis 
court for a game. 

Then came a splendid offer from the club 
house of their grounds, and whatever of the 
rooms they would need. Several of the 
fathers had engineered this through. 

“ In view of this,” said Mr. Underwood, 
“ let us make our Commencement as simple 
as possible, and have the other the day after, 
if you like. I cannot have you tired out be- 
forehand.” 

But they decorated the assembly room with 
flags and red-white-and-blue crepe paper, and 
great roses and carnations made by the girls. 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 399 

Now that they knew their standing they were 
very happy. A larger number of the girls 
were to be among the graduates. This time 
they passed the boys. 

All the senior class was on the stage, though 
the second division was not to graduate. The 
girls made a pretty show in their white dresses 
and eager, rosy faces. The assembly room 
filled up rapidly. Meta Henderson was afraid 
it would be an old story, but Mark said, It’s 
going to be a grand old story for some years 
to come, and the audiences will grow larger 
and larger. You’ll see,” with a confident nod. ' 

And that alumni business just takes my time 
altogether.” 

The exercises were admirable. The Glee 
Club was in fine voice. The class prophecy 
was not a mere burlesque this time. Then 
diplomas were distributed. Mr. Henley made 
a brief address, in which he spoke of severing 
his connection with the church, but declared 
that he should always retain a lively interest 
in the school — which he hoped to see a famous 
institution — and in the town, that had before 
it a fine future if it kept on the lines of 


400 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

moral and spiritual advancement, the corner 
stones of which must be integrity, honesty, 
and truth. 

There was a delightful social time after- 
ward. It did seem as if half the town must 
be there. Helen, by this time, had met many 
of the fathers, and some others of the busi- 
ness men. Mr. Underwood brought up Mr. 
Mills and introduced him. He was a nice, 
wholesome-looking man, but she thought he 
had rather a funny gleam in his eye. 

“ I wish my boy was here among them,” he 
began, “ but he can’t come until next week. I 
didn’t know that I could have him at all; but 
Mr. Underwood told me that his charmer had 
directed her fascinations elsewhere, in a more 
sensible manner. I think Edgar has gotten 
over it as well, and he really longs to come 
back to school. I owe you and Mr. Under- 
wood a good deal for taking the matter so 
promptly in hand. It was an extremely silly 
affair.” 

Mr. Mills did laugh, then, and Helen smiled. 

He was very manly about it,” she said, 
‘‘ and I think the boys will be glad to have 


THE CROWN OF EARNEST LIVING 4OI 

him back. He gave promise of being a good 
scholar.’' 

They all went home tired, but happy and 
full of thoughts about the morrow. And it 
did not rain, though now and then the sun 
went under a cloud. The club house grounds 
filled up and presented a pretty sight; girls in 
their best frocks and flower-bedecked hats; 
mothers and fathers and some of the clubmen 
anxious to see how the youngsters would acquit 
themselves. 

There was some fine sprinting. Five boys 
kept so evenly in line that three hands touched 
the tape at the same instant. A great cheer 
applauded them. Then the vaulting was ex- 
cellent, “ good enough for a full-fledged 
college,” said some one. High jumping fol- 
lowed, but the most beautiful of all was a 
military drill that was Mr. Boyd’s pride; and 
they went through the evolutions with splendid 
precision and grace. The exercises wound up 
with a game of baseball, of much interest to 
the spectators. Mothers and daughters floated 
around until summoned to the banquet, which 
had assumed greater proportions than the boys 


402 HELEN GEIANt’s HARVEST YEAR 

had planned, for some of the fathers had 
chipped in.” 

“ The most splendid time yet ! ” declared 
the boys, and they gave a vote of thanks to 
the club committee, with three rousing cheers 
and a tiger. 

They were all tired enough to go home, 
and just a little bit glad that they did not 
have to go to school the next day. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE GOLDEN HARVEST 

A TELEGRAM in its yellow envelope was 
handed to Helen by Jane, as she opened the 
door. She tore off the end, having no opener 
at hand. 

'''' Latin oration. Banquet to-night. Call 
received. Will decide to-morrow when I see 
you.'* 

‘‘ Oh, I wonder where it is ? ” she mused. 
‘‘ I think it will break my heart to leave West- 
field.” For it seemed now as if the harvest 
sheaves stood ready for the gathering, and the 
tares had withered, overgrown by the strength 
of the wheat. A vital warmth and interest 
stirred every pulse. But if a higher love 
called her away? 

Breakfast was late, at least they sat over it 
a long while, talking of yesterday’s sports. 

403 


404 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

“ It was Splendid in the club people, wasn’t 
it? ” commenced Lilian. And the boys were 
just fine, thanks to Mr. Boyd’s training. And 
Mr. Palmer is awfully sweet on you, Miss 
Grant.” 

Helen’s face was scarlet. She had been so 
interested and happy she had hardly noted it; 
but she recalled it now, and gave an embar- 
rassed laugh. 

Mr. Hildreth walked in. There was some- 
thing mysterious in his face, a joy shining 
in his eyes. He had improved, and looked 
quite like his olden self. 

I am a newsmonger this morning, though 
I dare not announce the sequel. Trinity 
Church has given the Reverend Gordon Dan- 
forth a call. He is coming to-day, in his new 
dignity, though I don’t suppose he will wear 
his hood to travel in. And I am empowered 
to take the announcement to Mr. Conover, so 
that the town may know it by night. I think 
it will give general satisfaction.” 

“ And I am glad we are to have a young 
clergyman; to grow older along with the 
younger members,” exclaimed Mrs. Stirling. 


THE GOLDEN HARVEST 405 

“ Every one who spoke of him liked him so. 
I was afraid we might be without a shepherd 
for some time, it is often so hard to get people 
to be of one mind. Oh, were you not working 
for him, Mr. Hildreth ? ’’ 

He smiled. Not as fervently as Mr. Hen- 
ley was. The call was unanimous. And I am 
glad the work will go straight on without any 
break. Were you not proud of yesterday’s 
work, you two schoolma’ams ? ” 

“ Well, it was the high school that carried 
off the honors,” said Lilian. But we — Mr. 
Briggs,” laughing archly, sent up nineteen 
scholars. And there were ten that just missed 
by a little. We didn’t have Miss Parker to 
train them, either.” 

‘‘ A pretty good showing. Mr. Briggs is 
doing excellent work. I think we are all 
on the mending line,” with a humorous 
smile. 

Then they rose, and two of them walked into 
the sitting-room. 

‘‘You had heard?” Mr. Hildreth assumed. 

“ There was a telegram last night. Oh, let 
me get it,” and she ran upstairs in a tumult 


4o6 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

of emotion. Such a little while ago Westfield 
was her Mecca. Now — — 

‘'Oh, he will accept. There is plenty of 
work for him to do, even if we have no real 
slums. Don’t you suppose ‘ the better class,’ 
as it is called, need ministering to? You 
know I have seen a great deal of him. And I 
shall have my two children. I shall have ‘ the 
oil of joy for mourning,’ a harvest, for the days 
when the desert was my lot.” 

His hand was over her shoulder. “ Yes,” 
she answered softly. “ Yes.” 

Then he turned and went out of the door. 
She passed upstairs again and busied herself 
putting her room in order. She had been so 
full of school matters that this probability had 
not crossed her mind. Just now all objections 
were swept away as to whether she would like 
it — ^whether she could fill the place satisfac- 
torily. She could make two people very 
happy. There would be new work for her to 
do. And there were her years of training. 

Gordon Danforth came to her first, and they 
went into the cool, shady, rather stiff parlor. 
“ I was surprised,” he began. “ I thought 


THE GOLDEN HARVEST 407 

they might ask me to supply the pulpit for a 
month or so, but the call was so — so earnest — 
so unanimous. But you shall decide.’’ 

“ I had almost decided to remain another 

year, to ask you to wait ” There were 

tears and smiles struggling in her face. But I 
wonder — ministers’ wives are expected — oh! 
I don’t know,” and she hid her face on his 
shoulder. 

I think that is mostly the minister’s con- 
sideration. We make many unwise choices, 
I must admit. I have a different way of look- 
ing at it. A clergyman’s wife may so easily 
make or mar his best endeavors. She does 
want some experience of the world, and a love 
for the work. And they must both be right- 
eous stewards of the faculties Gk>d has given. 
They need to make religion attractive in good 
works, not merely beautiful sentiment. Helen, 
you have done some fine work here, you have 
the strength and courage and truth that I most 
admire. You will make my life stronger to 
spread abroad the glad tidings, to gather the 
straying into the fold. Oh, you need not feel 
afraid!” 


408 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

Was this not among the best, the grand 
things of life? She looked at her old ambi- 
tions; they were tempered by something higher 
and finer than mere worldly aims. And she 
would still work among those she had come 
to love. 

They went to the dear friend who awaited 
them, and Gordon wrote his acceptance, which 
was received with fervent joy by Mr. Henley, 
and gave great satisfaction to the committee. 

“ For I feel now that I am not breaking off 
old ties and associations,” said the old clergy- 
man. “ I shall come and listen and be re- 
freshed.” 

The engagement could no longer be kept 
a secret. Helen felt that Mr. Underwood 
must be informed at once, and he received the 
news with the keenest disappointment. 

“ I had counted on at least another year,” 
he said. “ Then I suppose I would have 
begged for another, and so on. Miss Grant, 
you have spoiled my whole vacation. I can’t 
fill your place, — I don’t expect to. But a girl 
like you ought to have the best there is in 
life, and most women think that is a congenial 


THE GOLDEN HARVEST 409 

marriage. Since Mr. Hildreth vouches for 
the young man, I must be satisfied, I suppose,” 
in a comically disconsolate tone. 

Mrs. Underwood’s congratulations were 
most warm and heartfelt. 

“ I’ve been afraid, all the time, you would 
take Mr. Hildreth; and though he would 
make a splendid husband for you if you were 
five-and-thirty, you would miss the exquisite 
joy of young happiness. I like Mr. Dan forth, 
and we shall all be glad to keep you both. 
Oh, my dear Miss Grant, heaven send you all 
the joy and happiness you deserve. Husband 
will be sorry enough to lose you, but we will 
both be glad to keep our friend. And I 
know Mr. Hildreth wouldn’t have listened 
if the young man had not been unexception- 
able.” 

“ But I have known him a long while,” 
returned Helen, smiling through the flushes 
that swept over her face. 

“ Oh, tell me the story. I’m so fond of true 
love stories. Somehow, you have grown very 
dear to us both.” 

Mrs. Underwood thought it a lovely 


410 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

romance. “ And you are just the girl to have 
a romance in your life.” 

There was no keeping it a secret. A bevy 
of girls, headed by the Hendersons, came up 
to congratulate her, and to rejoice that she 
was not going away. “ And you are just the 
kind of minister’s wife we shall all like. Only 
— can’t you be married here in Westfield? It 
would be the dearest, loveliest thing ! ” 

Helen’s face was in a flame. She wondered, 
mirthfully, whether it would ever turn white 
again. Mrs. Underwood and Mr. Hildreth 
were of the same opinion. Surely Helen did 
not have any real home ! 

How could she refuse him, after he had said, 
“ My dear child, it will give pleasure to so 
many. And now I want to explain to you 
that it is my intention to settle an income on 
you, as salaries of young clergymen are never 
very high. And a woman who has earned 
money for herself would feel hampered in 
dozens of small ways. I have no near rela- 
tives, — a few worthy pensioners that I shall 
provide for if they outlive me. Why should 
I not have the pleasure of doing something 


THE GOLDEN HARVEST 4II 

out of pure love? It will be my wedding gift 
to you; for you two are like children to 
me — the children I longed for and have 
missed.” 

Oh, you have always been so kind. And 
this is — is too generous,” and her voice broke, 
as she hid her face in her hands. 

No, it is just right.” 

Why should she not give them this pleasure ? 
Juliet demurred. But, somehow, it appeared to 
get taken for granted. 

And Helen seemed to step into that larger, 
serious womanhood, touched with the sacred 
fire of love and truth, that was to make life 
nobler and better for those around her. She 
had hoped and longed to take part in the 
world’s advancement; was there not enough 
to do here? Could she not make the higher 
virtues attractive to these young people? — 
strengthen them in the ways of integrity? 
Girls needed it as well as boys. There was 
work to do on every hand; one need not wan- 
der uncertainly abroad to find it. One stum- 
bled and took wrong paths at times when 
the clear guiding light was obscured; but, if 


412 HELEN grant’s HARVEST YEAR 

one sought earnestly, the rift in the cloud 
was to be found. 

This was what experience was for — that 
one might be wiser to-day than one was yes- 
terday. One was to sow beside all waters; 
the growth and fruit was in wiser hands. 

And she found within herself a rich capacity 
for love of the plain duties of life. She had to 
go on, fearing nothing; hoping all things — 
giving as she had received, until life was 
rounded out in fair proportions. 


THE END 


HELEN GRANT SERIES 

By AMANDA M. DOUGLAS 

Illustrated by Amy Brcxdks Qoth Price per volume $1.25 


Helen Grant’s Schooldays 
Helen Grant’s Friends 
Helen Grant at Aldred House 
Helen Grant in College 
Helen Grant, Senior 
Helen Grant, Graduate 
Helen Grant, Teacher 
Helen Grant’s Decision 
Helen Grant’s Harvest Year 


LIELEN GRANT and her friends represent the best type of college 
I- * girls, those of the highest aims and ideals, and she herself 
develops to admiration in each successive phase of her career.— 
Milwaukee Free Press, 

Helen Grant is a lovable and capable American girl, and the young 
people who follow her experiences as depicted by Miss Douglas are sure 
to be the better for it. — Herald and Presbyter. 

Miss Douglas has had long experience in writing books for girls. 
Into her stories she puts the influence of high ideals, remembering all the 
time that girls are not to be deprived of their good times, but that play 
and earnest endeavor contribute each a share to the making of womanly 
character. — Christian Register, 

In “ Helen Grant,** Miss Douglas has 
created a splendid type of American girlhood, 
strong, energetic, intelligent, and winsome. 

Her progress under difficulties, and her unusual 
power to win and keep friends, have delighted 
her readers. — Chicago Advance, 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on 
receipt of price by the publishers 




LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., 
BOSTON 


A Little Maid of Boston Town 

By MARGARET SIDNEY 

12ino Cloth Illustrated by FRANK T. MERRILL $1.50 

T^HE opening chapters introduce us to 
^ old Boston in England. Margaret 
Sidney went there in 1907 and absorbed 
the atmosphere of Cotton Mather’s ** St. 
Botolph’s Town,” gathering for herself 
facts and traditions. Then ‘*St. Botolph’s 
Town ” yields its scenic effects, and the 
setting of the story is changed to Boston 
Town of New England. 

The story is absorbing, graphic, and 
truly delightful, carrying one along till it 
seems as if actual participation in the 
events had been the lot of the reader. The same naturalness 
that is so conspicuous in her famous ‘‘Pepper Books” marks 
this latest story of Margaret Sidney’s. She makes characters 
live and speak for themselves. 

It is an inspiring, patriotic story for the young, and contains striking 
and realistic pictures of the times with which it deals. — Sunday School 
Magazine^ Nashville, 

The author presents a story, but she gives a veracious picture of con- 
ditions in the town of Boston during the Revolution. Parents who are 
seeking wholesome books can place this in the front rank with entire 
safety. — Boston Glebe. 

Surely Margaret Sidney deserves the gratitude of many a child, and 
grown-ups, too, for that matter, in telling in so charming, yet, withal, so 
simple a manner, of these early days in this country. — Utica Observer, 

A really thrilling tale of the American Revolution. Interesting for 
both old and young. — Minneapolis yournal. 



Por sale by all booksellers or seat postpaid oa receipt of 
price by the publishers 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston 


HESTER SERIES 

By JEAN K. BAIRD 

12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.25 each 


The Coming of Hester 


IJ ESTER comes as a mysterious waif to the 
t A home of a lone woman, still young, but 
who has settled down into a narrow life, 
which expands as the child rapidly develops 
into mature girlhood. The principal part of 
the story, in fact, takes place when Hester 
has reached high school age. 


Such books as “ The Coming of Hester ” are 
healthy, wholesome reading — the kind which will 
help girls tt^row into the right sort of women. — 
Cleveland l^wn Topics. 

It is a well-told story, pure and healthful in its 
influence and nature. — Religious Telescope^ Rap- 
Ion, O, 



Hester’s Counterpart 



IJESTER becomes a pupil at a seminary in 
Ta the suburbs of a small city. Her room- 
mate is Helen Loraine, for whom the other 
girls are continually mistaking her. Misun- 
derstandings arise, and a reconciliation comes 
in a time of peril from flood. What transpires 
then adds the crowning interest to one of the 
season’s ablest and best stories for girls. 

Like its predecessor it is a clean, interesting sto^ 
of young girl life — the kind of a book all girls in 
their teens like to read. — Cincinnati Times Star, 
It is a fine story with just an element of mystery 
to give spice to it. — Buffalo Express, 

A fine story, well Xold. — Religious Telescope^ 
Dayton, O. 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt 
of price by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 


THE RANDY BOOKS 

By AMY BROOKS 

i2mo Cloth Artistic Cover Design in Gold and Colors 
Illustrated by the Author Price $i.oo Each 

The progress of the Randy Books'* 
has been one continual triumph over the 
hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little 
fun-loving sister Prue is almost as much 
a central figure as Randy, growing to- 
ward womanhood with each book. The 
sterling good sense and simple natural- 
ness of Randy, and the total absence of 
slang and viciousness, make these books 
in the highest degree commendable, 
while abundant life is supplied by the 
doings of merry friends, and there is rich 
humor in the droll rural characters. 


Randy*s Summer Randy^s Good Times 

Randy* s Winter Randy* s Luck 

Randy and Her Friends Randy*s Loyalty 
Randy and Prue Randy*s Prince 

“ 'The Randy Books are among the very 
choicest books for young people to make 
a beginning with.” 

— Boston Courier, 

“The Randy Books of Amy Brooks 
have had a deserved popularity among 
young girls. They are wholesome and 
moral without being goody-goody.” 

— Chicago Pose. 




LOTHROP. LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 


BRAVE HEART SERffiS 

By Adcle E* Thompson 

Illustrated i2mo Cloth $i .25 per volume 

Betty Seldon, Patriot 

A BOOK that is at the same time fascinating and noble. Historical 
^ events are accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Corn- 
wallis at Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it. 

Brave Heart Elizabeth 

TT is a story of the making of the Ohio frontier, much of it taken from 
I life, and the heroine one of the famous Zane family after which Zanes- 
ville, O., takes its name. An accurate, pleasing, and yet at times intensely 
thrilling picture of the stirring period of border settlement. 

A Lassie of the Isles 

T his is the romantic story of Flora Macdonald, the lassie of Skye, who 
aided in the escape of Charles Stuart, otherwise known as the 
“Young Pretender.** 

Polly of the Pines 

“^HE events of the story occur in the years 1775-82. Polly was an 
orphan living with her mother’s family, who were Scotch High- 
landers, and for the most part intensely loyal to the Crown. Polly finds 
the glamor of royal adherence hard to resist, but her heart turns towards 
the patriots and she does much to aid and encourage them. 


American Patty 

A Story of 1812 

P ATTY is a brave, winsome girl of sixteen 
whose family have settled across the Cana- 
dian border and arc living in peace and 
prosperity, and on the best of terms with the 
neighbors and friendly Indians. All this is 
suddenly and entirely changed by the breaking 
out of war, and unwillingness on the part of 
her father and brother to serve against their 
native land brings distress and deadly peril. 



For sale by all booksellers^ or sent postpaid on receipt 
of price by the publishers 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 




We Four Girls 

By Mary G. Darling i2mo Qoth Il- 
lustrated by Bertha G. Davidson 
$1.25 

“ FOUR GIRLS ** is a bright story 

” of a summer vacation in the coun- 
try, where these girls were sent for study 
and recreation. The story has plenty of 
natural incidents; and a mild romance, in 
which they are all interested, and of which 
their teacher is the principal person, gives 
interest to the tale. They thought it the 
most delightful summer they ever passed. 


A Girl of this Century 

By Mary G. Darling Qoth Illustrated 
by Lilian Crawford True $1.25 

T he same characters that appear in 
“We Four Girls'* are retained in 
this story, the interest centering around 
“ Marjorie,** the natural leader of the four. 
She has a brilliant course at Radcliffe, and 
then comes the world. A romance, long 
resisted, but worthy in nature and of happy 
termination, crowns this singularly well- 
drawn life of the noblest of all princesses — 
a true American girl. 



Beck’s Fortune A Story of School and Seminary Life 
By Adele E. Thompson Qoth Illustrated $1.25 


"T'HE characters in this book seem to live, their remarks are bright and 
* natural, and the incidental humor delightful. The account of Beck’s 


narrow and cheerless early life, her sprightly independence, and unexpected 
competency that aids her to progress through the medium of seminary life 
to noble womanhood, is one that mothers can commend to their daughters 
unreservedly. 


For sale by an booksellers or sent postpaid on recaipt of price 
by the publishers 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., 30ST0W 


The Laurel Token A Story of the Yamassee Uprising 

By ANNIE M. BARNES 

Author of “Little Betty Blew ” and “ A Lass of Dorchester” 

Illustrated by G. W. Picknell 12mo Cloth $1.25 

This is a book for young people of either sex, 
for, although the leading character is a girl of 
eighteen, her cousins, two boys of sixteen and 
fourteen respectively, are prominent throughout 
the story, which centres about a beautiful girl, 
left an orphan, as is supposed, in Barbados, who 
goes to live with her uncle, a leading man in the 
flourishing “ Goose Creek ” colony, in the year 
of the Indian Jiprising, 1714. The very real dan- 
ger from the red men, who have been regarded 
as friendly, but have been the victims of selfish- 
ness, and thus made ready tools for the crafty 
Spanish having their headquarters at St. Augus- 
tine, forms the background to the story, and 
gives opportunity for the surprising develop- 
ments which occur respecting the heroine and others. The illustrations 
by Mr. Picknell are very accurate in their composition, besides being 
finely executed. 

A By EVELYN RAYMOND Illustrated by 

An nonor Uiri Bertha G. Davidson 12nio Cloth $1.25 

A bright, helpful story of a girl who, as the 
valedictorian and “ honor girl ” of her class at 
high school, wins a scholarship which would 
take her through Wellesley College. Family 
reverses bring it home to her that demands 
that she devote herself to helping her parents 
and wayward brother to face the future better 
than they seem likely to. She heroically sur- 
renders her prize, with its glowing prospects, to 
a jealous rival, and with a brave humor says 
that she has matriculated in the College of Life, 
the hard features of which she happily styles the 
“ faculty,” with “ Professor Poverty ” prominent 
among them. These prove excellent teachers, 
aided by “Professor Cheerfulness.” Kind friends 
are won by her courage, her brother achieves manly character, and the 
family are finally re-established on the road to prosperity : all better, 
happier, and more to each other than had selfishness not been so well 
met and overcome by “ An Honor Girl.” 

sale hy all bookseller s, or sent postpaid on receipt 0/ price by the publisher s> 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston 




A Little Maid of Concord 
Town 


A Romance of the American Revolution 

By MARGARET SIDNEY, One volume^ I2mo> 
illustrated by F. T, Merrill, $J.50 

A DELIGHTFUL Revolutionary romance of life, 
love and adventure in old Concord. The author 
lived for fifteen years in the home of Hawthorne, in 
Concord, and knows the interesting town thoroughly. 

Debby Parlin, the heroine, lived in a little house 
on the Lexington Road, still standing, and was sur- 
rounded by all the stir and excitement of the months 
of preparation and the days of action at the begin- 
ning of our struggle for freedom. 


By Way of the Wilderness 

By "PANSY^ (Mrs. G. R. Alden) and MRS. 
C. M. LIVINGSTON, }2mo, cloth, illustrated by 
Charlotte Harding, $1,50 



'HIS story of Wayne Pierson and how he evaded 


JL or met the tests of misunderstanding, environ- 
ment, false position, opportunity and self-pride ; how 
he lost his father and found him again, almost lost 
his home and found it again, almost lost himself and 
found alike his manhood, his conscience and his 
heart is told us in Pansy’s best vein, ably supplement- 
ed by Mrs. Livingston’s collaboration. 


WHEN GRANDMAMMA 
WAS FOURTEEN 

By MARION HARLAND 

WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS AND NUMEROUS PICTURES 
IN THE TEXT PRICE $1.25 


Later adventures of the heroine of 

GRANDMAMMA WAS NBWA* 


HOSE who recall this noted author’s delightful story, “When 
I Grandmamma was New,” will be glad to hear that in this 
book are the adventures of the heroine at a later period. 
Through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Molly Burwell, the reader 
sees much that is quaint, amusing and pathetic in ante-bellum Rich- 
mond, and the story has all the charm of manner and rich humanity 
which are characteristic of Marion Harland. All healthy- hearted 
children will delight in the story, and so will their parents. 


WHEN GRANDMAMMA WAS NEW 

The Story of a Virginia Girlhood in the Forties 
By Marion Harland i2mo Illustrated Price ^1.25 

The BOSTON JOURNAL says: 

“If only one might read it first with the trained enjoyment of the 
* grown-up ' mind that is ' at leisure from itself,* and then if one might with, 
draw into ten-year-old-dom once more and seek the shadow of the friendly 
apple-tree, and revel in it all over again, taste it all just as the child tastes, 
and find it luscious! For this book has charm and piquancy. And it is in 
just this vivid remembrance of a child’s mental workings, in just the avoid- 
anceof all ‘writing down* to the supposed level of a child’s mind, that 
this story has its rare attractiveness. It is bright, winsome, and magnetic.** 

The INTERIOR, Chicago, says: 

* Grandmamma * may have charmed other folks, — has charmed them all, 
incontrovertibly, — but she has never tried harder to be vivid and dramatic 
and entertaining, and to leave a sweet kernal of application, withal, than in 
these memory-tales of a sunny childhood on a big Virginia plantation. H is 
a book which will delight, not children alone, but all such as have the child 
heart and a tender memory of when they were ‘ new.* ** 

AT AT T- BOOKSELLERS, OR SENT POSTPAID ON RECEIPT 
OF PRICE BY THE PUBLISHERS 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 


Thi: Quinnebasset series 

SOPHIE MAY 

CloCb lUostrated Price per Volume, $1.35 


THE DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER 

*• 'T'HK Doctor's Daughter is a country story, bright as a sunbeam, natural as 
i life itself, unpretending as real goodness, and sanitary as the personal effect 
of pure spring water. Marian is a lovable heroine; and her girlhood story abounds 
in incidents full of fun, rich in tragic scenes, and didactic without a word of 
preaching. Characters finely touched mingle in the scenes where she plays the 
grand role, producing a book emoyable to the reader and full of promise for the 
future success of the writer.” — Boston Transcript, 

OUR HELEN 

** nrHIS is a fresh, rare work, and well repays perusal. The characters are very 
1 striking, and form a circle so pleasant that the reader is loth to part with them 
by closing the volume. OUR Helen, the heroine, is not made so remarkably perfect 
tmt the example of her noble record is lost .” — Evening Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 

THE ASBURY TWINS 

** npHK construction of the story is two sided, first one of the twins having a 
1 chapter, then the other. They are beautiful girls, both, and we confess to 
havlnp: fallen in love with them, and there is likely to be a latent Mormon desire in 
the mind of a young man reader to marry both, one is so pleasant a complement to 
the other. For pure loveliness and natural captivation the story is an example not 
by any means common. All the characters are depicted with an ease ana grace 
which make every chapter a delight.” — Traveler, 


QUINNEBA5SET GIRLS 

•‘AS fresh and wholesome as a bright December morning is Sophie May's 
ax Quinnebasset Girls. It is a real girl’s book, good and true and honest, 
and full withal of such clever hints of New England character as oldsters might 
condescend to be interested in. Always natural, if imaginative, full of a bright 
humor, her books will be for long delightful in the ant&pation and in the read 
ing.”— Airw Tork Tribune, 


JANET : A POOR HEIRESS 


** THE story itself is one to win upon you at every reading. We found the 
1 precious half-hours running away as we began upon it for such knowledge 
of its character as would fit us to make passing note of its value. It is a domesuc 
story of American life, and its forty chapters are each a feast of good reading. The 
illustrations are unusually fine and su^estive. The title of the book leads you 
Into its drift, but a column would not suffice to characterize it descriptively.”— Bal, 
timore Courant, 


IN OLD QUINNEBASSET 

” TO those who were not satisfied with the results of their own imagination, let 
1 us commend Sophie May’s story, *In Old Quinnebasset.’ A more 
graceful and charming tale it would be hard to find, llere is old Quinnebasset 
with its associations and memories, its old houses and fireplaces, andhere are the 
vety people walking its streets, discussing the electoral votes in same formal 
English as during Washington’s time .”— Tork Trioune^ 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on recei p t of price 
by the publishers 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 


American Heroes and Heroines 


By Pauline Carrington Bouvk Illustrated 
i2mo Cloth $1.25 

T his book, which will tend directly toward 
the making of patriotism in young Americans, 
contains some twenty brief, clever and attractive 
sketches of famous men and women in American 
history, among them Father Marquette, Anne 
Hutchinson, Israel Putnam, Molly Pitcher, Paul 
Jones, Dolly Madison, Daniel Boone, etc. Mrs. 
Bouvd is well known as a writer both of fiction and 
history, and her work in this case is admirable. 

“ The style of the book for simplicity and clearness 
of expression could hardly be excelled.” — Boston 
Budget. 

The Scarlet Patch 

The Story of a Patriot Boy in the Mohawk Valley 

By Mary E. Q. Brush Illustrated by George W. Picknell $1.25 
“HT'HE Scarlet Patch** was the badge of a Tory organization, and a 
X loyal patriot boy, Donald Bastien, is dismayed at learning that his 
uncle, with whom he is a “bound boy,” is secretly connected with this 
treacherous band. Thrilling scenes follow in which a faithful Indian 
figures prominently, and there is a vivid presentation of the school and 
home life as well as the public affairs of those times. 

A book that will be most valuable to the library of the young boy.” — Provi- 
dence News. 

Stories of Brave Old Times 

Some Pen Pictures of Scenes Which 
Took Place Previous to, or Connected 
With, the American Revolution 

By Helen M. Cleveland Profusely illustra- 
ted Large i2mo Cloth $1.25 

I T is a book for every library, a book for 
adults, and a book for the young. Per- 
haps no other book yet written sets the great 
cost of freedom so clearly before the young, 
consequently is such a spur to patriotism. 

** It can unqualifiedly be commended as a book for 
youthful readers; its great wealth of illustrations 
adding to its value.” — Chicago News. 

For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price 
by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 




AMERICAN HEROES 
HEROINES 



nUUNECARRlNCTONBOUVl 


DOROTHY BROWN 

By NINA RHOADES 

Illustrated by Elizabeth Withington Large 12mo 
Cloth $1.50 

T his is considerably longer than the other 
books by this favorite writer, and with a 
more elaborate plot, but it has the same win- 
some quality throughout. It introduces the 
heroine in New York as a little girl of eight, 
but soon passes over six years and finds her at 
a select family boarding school in Connecticut. 
An important part of the story also takes place 
at the Profile House in the White Mountains. 
The charm of school-girl friendship is finely 
brought out, and the kindness of heart, good 
sense and good taste which find constant ex- 
pression in the books by Miss Rhoades do not 
lack for characters to show these best of 
qualities by their lives. Other less admirable 
persons of course appear to furnish the alluring mystery, which is not 
all cleared up until the very last. 

“There will be no better book than this to put into the hands of a girl in 
her teens and none that will be better appreciated by her .” — Kennebec Journal. 

MARION’S VACATION 

By NINA RHOADES 

Illustrated by Bertha Q. Davidson 12mo Cloth $1.25 

'^HIS book is for the older girls, Marion 
being thirteen. She has for ten years 
enjoyed a luxurious home in New York with 
the kind lady who feels that the time has now 
come for this aristocratic though lovable little 
miss to know her own nearest kindred, who 
are humble but most excellent farming people 
in a pretty Vermont village. Thither Marion 
is sent for a summer, which proves to be a 
most important one to her in all its lessons. 

“ More wholesome reading for half grown girls 
it would be hard to find; some of the same lessons 
that proved so helpful in that classic of the last 
generation ‘An Ola Fashioned Girl’ are brought 
home to the youthful readers of this sweet and 
sensible siory, "^Milwaukee Free Press, 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 
price by the publishers 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston 





H/.Y , 25 1911 


One copy del. to Cat. Div. 
may 2b 



